• Meet your local councils and see what you need to do to get more business

• Put your questions to business leaders and Government ministers in our own “Question Time”

• Explore the Exhibition, comprising local Chamber member companies showcasing products and services

• Network with the exhibitors discussing business of mutual benefit

• Find out how we put the Black Country on the map!

• Meet and network with MPs, MEPs and VIPs

• Experience the “Taste of the World” buffet reflecting the rich diversity of our region

• Take the stage to promote your company in our very own “Business Karaoke” (No need to sing!)

• Enjoy all the fun of the fair with £5 of Black Country Money to spend with our Charities

• Have you entered our Business Award for 2009? – find out who won and why!

• Stay on for free entry to the evening race night from 5.40pm.

Exhibition Stand Space (2m x 2m) is available at a cost of £115 inc. VAT.
(Chamber members only)

To attend the event, the cost for Chamber members and non members is only
£25 inc. VAT

Download a booking form here
Telephone Events on 0845 8724283
Email events@blackcountrychamber.co.uk or
download information at www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk

Chamber Chief Executive David Chambers to retire David Chambers, chief executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, is to retire from his position in the organisation in March 2010. The Chamber is now seeking to appoint a replacement chief executive, with the recruitment process commencing next month.

David Chambers

“My stay at Black Country Chamber may appear to have been brief, but I came to accomplish a specific task, to restructure the Chamber through a period of change that was already in progression on my arrival”, said David. “This process is now complete. I have already extended my stay by one year, and I now feel it’s time to hand over the reins to someone who can consolidate and grow our position as the leading regional business support agency.”

Chamber President Peter Mathews CMG said; “In the two years since David has held the post of Chief Executive, Black Country Chamber has changed enormously. From the outset, David preferred a low-key presence and so has facilitated both the executive team and the board to simply get on with the job in hand, with the result being that we are now in a position where we are envied by other chambers. We now have a tight, focussed executive team and a strong remit for the future and are now seeking an experienced, high calibre business professional to continue to lead the further development of business support in the West Midlands.”

Advanced Manufacturing – Building Britain’s Future?
A package of measures to help UK manufacturers seize the opportunities provided by emerging technologies was launched in July by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.

Investment totalling £151.5 million was announced as part of the Government’s targeted strategies for key sectors and markets. It is designed to expand access to information, encourage take up of new technologies and address specific challenges faced by the aerospace sector.
Advanced Manufacturing describes businesses which use a high level of design or scientific skills to produce technologically complex products and processes. Because of the specialised requirements involved, these are usually goods and associated services of high value.

New measures include:
• A total of £45 million funding to Rolls-Royce, which will see four new advanced manufacturing facilities built in the UK – three in aerospace and one civil nuclear - creating and sustaining around 800 jobs;
• The provision of £45 million from the low carbon element of the Strategic Investment Fund to support research and technology critical to the development of low carbon aircraft engine technology, to be led by Rolls-Royce;
• At least £40 million investment in SAMULET Research and Technology programme – a collaborative aerospace project focussing on productivity and environmental improvements – with £28.5 million from the Technology Strategy Board, £11.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and further support under discussion with regional bodies;
• A £4 million expansion of the Manufacturing Advisory Service to help a wider range of businesses improve efficiency and increase orders (in addition to the £4 million expansion announced as part of the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy)
Source: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

A copy of Advanced Manufacturing – Building Britain’s Future can be found HERE

• The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, launched in July, has announced a £4m expansion of the Manufacturing Advisory Service to provide specialist advice to manufacturers on competing for low carbon opportunities, including support for suppliers for the civil nuclear industry. A copy of the strategy can be found HERE

• A £750 million Strategic Investment Fund for backing business to come out stronger from the downturn was announced in Budget 2009. The fund for “New Industry, New Jobs” fund will be available to BIS over two years, (£400 million 2009/10; £350 million 2010/11) to meet immediate business needs.

Burnt Tree Island Dudley Update
There will be two-way temporary traffic lights for five days on the A461 Burnt Tree Road, week commencing 24 August for statutory undertakers diversion works.

For regular information and updates on progress of Burnt Tree Island, sign up to burnt-tree.cexec@dudley.gov.uk

Help the Chamber to help you
With work underway on major road schemes in the region, including changes to the A449 and Burnt Tree Island, it’s almost inevitable that some disruption and increased journey times will be caused by long term infrastructure improvements on the Black Country’s roads. However, Black Country Chamber wants to help mitigate the effects on businesses by working with the Local Authorities to help plan schemes as effectively as possible and ensure that any unnecessary disruption is avoided.

We want your feedback on how major road works in the Black Country have affected your business. If you or your employees are encountering issues and delays in your journey to work as a result of road works, please email richardbergman@blackcountrychamber.co.uk and we will pass on any feedback to the relevant local authorities. This way, we can help minimise the disruption caused to you and your business by changes to the Black Country’s roads.

Market Visit to Cyprus
Black Country Chamber in association with UK Trade and Industry and Envirotrade are organising a market visit to Cyprus, 19-22 October 2009, that focuses on environmental technologies. The closing date for applications is 21st September. Financial assistance of up to £400 may be available for qualifying SMEs.

Substantial EU backed investment is being made in Cyprus to establish modern facilities for waste disposal and recycling. Growing opportunities can also be found in water and waste industries, where Cyprus is facing severe problems. Renewable energy also presents opportunities. There will be networking opportunities and time to meet with potential customers or partners.

UKTI are also planning to host a small delegation from the Cypriot Waste Management and Recycling sector at the same time as the Waste Management show at the NEC, on 15 and 17 September. The delegation will comprise representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Interior.

Anyone interested in either dates should contact Graham Ashmore, Head of European Cluster Policy, on 0781 037 7794 grahamashmore@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Or a member of the Chamber International Trade Team.

Chamber Visit to Serbia
A three day visit to Serbia was undertaken in June by Black Country President Peter Mathews CMG, David Chambers CEO and Terry Wood, Head of International Trade.
The visit was in response to an invitation by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce following their visit to the Black Country in January this year.

The purpose of the visit was to investigate the opportunities for trade between the two countries and establish any common objectives. Visits were made to the Serbian Chamber, a large engineering factory and to the British Embassy Commercial Office. Presentations were received from representatives from the Serbian Investment Agency, a number of trade associations and representatives from the aerospace, automotive, construction and environmental agencies. These would appear to be the major sectors for UK companies to develop trade.

A further visit to Belgrade is planned for the end of October 2009 and suitable Black Country companies will be invited to attend. The intention is to find appropriate Serbian companies to meet. The sectors will include aerospace, automotive and environmental.

Any interested companies please contact:
Terry Wood, Head of International Trade,
Black Country Chamber of Commerce
terrywood@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Telephone; 07971 263 959

Save the Date
The BCABA Business Awards will be held at the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill on Friday October 23 2009.

The Awards offer a great opportunity for socialising and networking whilst enjoying an excellent dinner. Tickets are £60.00 plus VAT per person for the black tie event.

A booking form can be downloaded HERE, with details of how to reserve seats or tables. Available HERE is the award nominee form listing the available categories,
so if you know someone worthy of an award - let us know!

The Nachural Events Team on behalf of BCABA would love to see you there. In previous years demand for tickets has been great, so to avoid disappointment book yours now!

Businesses Given Free Access to
Thousands of New Opportunities
Every small business in the UK will now have free access to thousands of lower value government contracts on the Government’s website www.supply2.gov.uk. Supply2.gov.uk is the official government portal for the advertisement of lower-value (typically below £100,000) contract opportunities, and provides small businesses with access to lower-value public sector contracts.

Since it launched in June 2006, supply2.gov.uk has advertised thousands of public sector procurement opportunities worth up to £100,000, making the website ideally suited to small and medium sized businesses. The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK has been removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contracts to help their businesses grow.