On Thursday our Events Manager, Amy Wright, and Digital Marketing Apprentice Emma Jermany attended the Royal Norfolk Show.
The annual event returned for 2022 after a 3-year hiatus for its 175th year and it attracted an estimated over 90k visitors and 700 businesses.
Amy and Emma spent the morning visiting some of our Chamber member’s stands including UPP, EACH, Norwich High School for Girls, Norwich City FC, Buy Local, Plant Grow, Barnham Broom, Anglian Car Charging, and not forgetting the Big C who had a great interactive stand.
They also visited the Beryl Bikes stand where they were offering prizes to win 100 free minutes by spinning a prize wheel.
After enjoying the RAF Falcons parachute display, it was time for our networking session at the Hospitality Tent.
Our COO Nova Fairbank and Amy Wright presented on the growth and Co.nnections for The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce followed by drinks and networking.
It was wonderful to see and network with so many Norfolk businesses, we’re already looking forward to the show next year.
Force Majeure are certificates attesting the existence of force majeure circumstances i.e. circumstances beyond the control of the applicant such as fire, flood, industrial disputes, pandemic, wars and conflicts etc.
Please note that we can only certify factual details that can be evidenced.
We cannot comment as to whether or not Force Majeure applies or argue such claims on behalf of the applicant.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to claim Force Majeure and the issuing body’s role is to provide a certificate in support of such claim.
How you apply to your Chamber for a Force Majeure Certificate
Email a letter confirming details of the force majeure circumstances and the scope of non-fulfilment of contractual obligations due to these circumstances, signed by the company director, to export@norfolkchambers.co.uk
This will need to be backed up by documents by the competent authorities or verifiable sources attesting to the existence of the force majeure circumstances (not required if circumstances are related to invasion of Ukraine)
We will produce a draft letter and email it to you for approval.
The letter on Chamber headed paper will be stamped with the Chamber logo stamp and released once we have received the payment
If you have any queries regarding the details above please contact our International Trade Department, who will be happy to help you.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Her Majesty was the embodiment of public service.
We know that many communities may wish to come together and observe the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen and so the BBC is providing local communities a TV Licence dispensation. The dispensation will allow any communal setting where TV is not usually watched, such as town halls, community centres and libraries across the UK, to screen the live programmes without needing to purchase a licence.
We want to reach out to communities and those who are making arrangements to let them know that the dispensation is in place and therefore we welcome your support in making your service users aware.
By law, if live television or BBC iPlayer is viewed on any premises, those premises must be covered by a valid TV Licence. However, in exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance.
As the BBC Board has said, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a unifying figure across generations, communities and borders, who represented the very best of our nation. We are grateful at the BBC to have witnessed, recorded and shared so many of the special moments in her long life and reign. She will always be remembered with the greatest affection and admiration.
Welcome to our Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver AKA The Zinger chats with tech whizz and Director Jason Carlton and Business Development Manger James Fowler, of Uptech.
As one of our Strategic Partners, Uptech work closely with the Norfolk Chambers, James is involved in our Norfolk Knowledge Hub, contributing Uptech’s knowledge, skills and expertise freely to everyone who uses the Hub.
Jason discusses what’s new in tech and how upcoming innovations will re-define our workplaces, the resilience and strength of his team and how their core values are pivotal to their success.
Your Trusted IT Partner and Expert in Managed IT Security Services
We believe that every business should have an IT system, that enables them to be more productive and to be more profitable. But even more importantly we want to make the lives of the Business owner and their staff (they use the IT more) easier and more enjoyable.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast – in this episode our CEO Chris Sargisson is talking with Chloe Smith, Member of Parliament and leader of the Norwich for Jobs Programme and also Matt Smith, Human Resources Director at Evander. This podcast was recorded at the Evander Head Office on Broadland Business Park in Norwich.
Responding to the findings, release of further details from Government on the energy support plan for business, Chief Executive Officer at the Norfolk Chambers, Nova Fairbank said:
“The latest government news will give Norfolk businesses a much-needed sense of relief from the pressures of rising energy costs.”
“For months we have been calling for Government intervention to help businesses with eye watering energy costs. This support package is significant and will ease the cost pressures that have been piling up on businesses.
“It will allow many firms that were facing closure, or having to lay off staff or reduce output, to keep going through the winter.
“But the exact level of support will vary greatly from business to business depending on the detail of its contract, so some will inevitably do better than others.
“We now need action to get this saving passed onto business as soon as possible – every day will put some firms closer to the edge and they cannot hang on much longer.
“There must also be effective legal oversight to ensure no firms that are due this money miss out.
“For those that will benefit, six months support is not enough for most firms to make plans for the future.
“We understand there are a range of unknowns for the Government in looking ahead, but without that reassurance very few firms will make plans to invest or grow.
“Some businesses will still struggle to meet their bills despite this government intervention, the Chancellor must prioritise those firms in his mini-budget on Friday.
“There are a range of other challenges that must be addressed including labour shortages, supply chain disruption, and rising raw material costs.
“To truly revitalise our economy for the difficult months ahead then there must be a clear long-term plan that gives business the confidence to grow.”
More detail on the Government plan can be found here.
If you keep meaning to make eco-friendly changes in your life but never quite get round to it, then listen in as Leon discusses his Ten ways to save the planet by living more sustainably.
We’ll be talking about his journey from serving as an Engineer in the Royal Air Force, to founding a multi award winning Zero emissions taxi service right here in Norwich, testing satellites for Elon Musk, and most recently setting up his own company, Leon Davies.co.uk and becoming a Sustainability Specialist.
If you would like to find out more about Leon’s business, you can get in touch with him below
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast – In todays’ podcast we’re going to chat to Sonja Chilvers, Chief Operating Officer and Alex Wiseman, Partnership Manager, at Norfolk & Waveney Mind.
The need for good quality mental health support, advice and information is greater than ever before, Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever, 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic are now experiencing mental health issues.
Sonja and Alex discuss the opening of REST and how Mind is focused on making mental health services as accessible as possible in the Norfolk & Waveney area .
On Site Services:
1:1 support, telephone support, intensive support package, cafe and social groups. We will also work collaboratively with partner organisations who will
come in to deliver specialist support.
An evening sanctuary operational from 6pm – midnight providing a short-term place to receive crisis support for people referred from the Crisis Team.
REST is a safe, welcoming, non-clinical space in which people experiencing mental distress or crisis can receive the support and information
they need.
REST connects people with their local community and resources, including non-mental health initiatives.
REST has been designed to reduce social isolation, build resilience and empower those in crisis, with a focus on wellness not illness.
REST is a resource in supporting people with poor mental wellbeing close to their communities and homes.
Welcome to our Norfolk Chambers podcast, In todays’ podcast Haze Carver, AKA The Zinger talks to chat to Lizzy Dring, Head of Corporate Events at Huxley Events.
Lizzy talks about, ‘bringing teams together is our absolute speciality! Whether this is in a team-building environment through an engaging activity that really gets people to work together, improve communication and achieve their goals, to helping make celebrations so special!Successes included hosting over 100 virtual team experiences for businesses across the globe (including Australia, America as well as for teams based in different countries).
Supporting the Norfolk Chambers with their B2B Exhibition which was one of the biggest business events in Norfolk in 2021.
The Chamber Business Awards is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, recognising and promoting the best of British business through a series of regional heats, culminating in a campaign to showcase winning businesses on an international stage.
The Chamber Business Awards provide a brilliant opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Chamber of Commerce Network.
The Norfolk Chambers are invited to nominate members for the awards in any of the following categories. For 2022, there are three new exciting categories to allow members to showcase their talents and business acumen.
The Workforce Developer – Commitment to People Award – A business that has shown how their approach to the learning and development of their team has enhanced their business performance.
The Rapid Riser – Scale up Business of the Year – An organisation that can demonstrate exceptional levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.
The Community Champion – Community Business of the Year – An organisation that facilitates, participates, and enables community engagement, demonstrating the power of giving back.
After the regional heats, the British Chamber of Commerce will announce the winners from mid-October onwards. National winners will be announced, and presented with their award at a high-profile event already being hosted by their nominating Chamber.
Our Co.next programme was launched in early 2022 to empower, engage and encourage young professionals across Norfolk. The programme has developed and grown providing valuable support, training, mentoring, and events.
A gap in the market was brought to our attention by those 35 and under – the need to bridge the gap between leaving education and gaining knowledge, experience, and confidence to climb the career ladder.
Our concept has been developed from idea through to fruition thanks to our first Advisory Board. The board is made up of seven young professionals on a variety of career journeys and have been at the heart of the programme. They have their feet on the ground, sharing their ideas and raising awareness of what support and guidance they actually need.
All good things must come to an end, and our first Advisory Board has now completed their term as Advisory Board members. We’ve been so thrilled with their enthusiasm, ideas, and passion that we have since created a Co.next alumni that will be made up of all the Advisory Board members. Their input has been invaluable to getting Co.next off the ground and it’s important to us to continue with their support.
James Groves, Co.next Board Chairman says “I am so grateful for what the initial Advisory Board bought to the Co.next initiative. Without them, it wouldn’t have launched with such energy, enthusiasm, and commitment, and for that, I am extremely grateful. I am so excited to keep them involved as we move forward and to get their insights into what we are doing and what we can continue to do to empower, encourage and engage the under-35 professionals of Norfolk. I am also excited to have the opportunity to have new, fresh young professionals join the advisory board and help move us into what should be an exciting year for Co.next.”
With so many amazing young professionals in Norfolk, we want to give others the chance to make a difference too, and put their thoughts and ideas forward for the Co.next programme. We’ll be opening the positions soon so watch this space.
Have you ever wondered what the key tips are to running a smooth and successful event? Sam Brown, our Conference and Events Manager, shares her knowledge and key tips to support your event. As you know running an event is never easy, although at times one can look calm on the outside, on the inside you are going through your mental checklist, spinning a hundred plates, and looking forward to a successful ending! Here are some useful pointers to support your event.
Step 1. Write a clear plan! Write yourself a clear plan of things to do, from the initial organisation, through to post-event follow up. This will help to keep you on track and know that you have done everything needed for a successful event. Planning is essential and there are tools out there to help with this! We use a website called Teamwork which allows you to create a complete event plan, give deadlines and delegate tasks to different members of your team, as well as handy reminders straight to your inbox.
Step 2. Give your event a clear theme/purpose/title Giving your event a clear purpose will help you to target and attract the right audience as well as aiding you to know what you want to achieve from the event. For example, are you growing your network, selling a product or service, or celebrating an achievement?
Step 3. Communication Once you’ve got your event purpose and plan, you need to communicate your event clearly. This includes the timings, agenda, who you are expecting to be there, who this event is for and so much more. Make sure all of your event marketing is consistent and that you are sending the same message across all channels. Don’t forget to also keep any staff, speakers, sponsors, or anyone else involved in the loop too. Remember communication is king!
Step 4. Choosing a suitable venue Getting the right venue is key to your event. Book to see plenty of different places and make a checklist of all the things your venue needs, as well as a list of ‘nice to have’ list. Does it have parking? Catering facilities? Can it scale up or down if needed depending on event numbers? All of these factors will give you room to develop the event effectively.
Step 5. Prepare for the unexpected Make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Before you leave for your event are you as up-to-date with everyone involved and everything going on as possible? With events anything can change so suddenly, for example, speakers pulling out the day before or timings overrunning. Make sure you remain calm during these situations and think clearly.
Step 6. Too much is never enough Make sure to always bring backups. If you place all of your event presentations on one USB and keep it in a particular place, you can be sure it’ll probably go missing by the time you need it. Take several copies of any paperwork needed in case staff ask for copies, or you misplace yours. Don’t think that just because everything is on your laptop, you won’t need paper copies because something as simple as Wi-Fi not working could change everything. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Step 7. Your team Make sure to have the right support around you. Your events staff all need to be briefed and kept up-to-date on event details so they can handle any situations that arise. Find a communication channel you can all access so you can contact your team quickly during the event.
Step 8. Follow up after Follow up evaluation – always be thinking about your next event; how can you improve? Get feedback from those who attended the event, it only has to be a quick survey using a tool like Survey Monkey. This will help to develop your next event in the future and also pick up on any negative points, such as if attendees like the food or the event format, is there something else they’d like to see added in the future? Allow them the option to remain anonymous or leave contact details so you can get in touch with them to discuss any issues further. Remember all feedback is useful, the good and the bad!
The tips from Sam are a supportive guide to help you steer your event, so if you would like any further pointers do catch us at a Chambers event and we can always expand on this.
