2023 review of the UK business and marketing events I attended

Looking for a great UK business or marketing event to attend? Well, I love going to in-person events and 2023 was the year I properly got back out and about to business and marketing events across England. In this review I’m sharing 5 events I went to this year, what I did and didn’t like about them, and whether I would go again! Keep on reading to find out what great UK business and marketing events you should attend in 2024 and beyond.

 

 

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2023 REVIEW OF THE UK BUSINESS AND MARKETING EVENTS I ATTENDED

 

QUANTUM SHIFT 2023 – BY SUZY ASHWORTH

 

My experience

Quantum Shift was a three day experience hosted at the wonderful BAFTA building in London. I’d followed Suzy online for a few years and was so excited to go to one of her events. I knew it would be very different to the other business events – and that was what I wanted. I was heading to Expert Empires in the month and felt that two events would be at different ends of the spectrum.

 

I was not disappointed! Suzy is made for the stage and over the three days I went on an emotional rollercoaster. One moment I was dancing on stage living my best life and next I was crying in the middle of a visualisation. And then to top it all off we had a performance from Sinitta.

 

Will I go again?

I would absolutely go to another Suzy Ashworth event again. The experience Suzy created was unlike any of the other events I have been too. And whilst it isn’t what I’d like to do every day. From time to time it is the perfect experience to be immersed in.

 

Next event

Quantum Shift 2024

26 – 28 January 2024

London

For more information and to book click here. 

 

 

EXPERT EMPIRES BY NICK JAMES

My experience

I first became aware of Nick James and Expert Empires in 2020, but didn’t really give much thought to attending their live events until I saw Denise Duffield-Thomas would be there.

Denise Duffield-Thomas has been my money mentor since 2017 and since she is based in Australie I knew it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her in person. Denise did not disappoint and getting to meet hundreds of other lucky bees was amazing.

However, the rest of the event didn’t win me over. I knew it would be very ‘bro marketing’ and to be fair I don’t mind a bit of that. And there were a few of the speakers that I didn’t enjoy. But the general organisation and feel of the event really wasn’t my vibe.

 

Will I go again?

I wouldn’t say I’ll never go again, but I have no time to go soon. The primary reason I went to Expert Empires this year was for Denise Duffield-Thomas and the fact is Nick James does manage to get some amazing speakers for the event, so if the right name headlined in the future I may be swayed.

 

Next event

Not advertised when this blog post was published. You can check the Expert Empire’s events calendar here.

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN BUSINESS! BOOK A 2024 STRATEGY DAY Smart business owners know that for the best results you need to plan in advance. That’s why I run strategy days where in just one day I’ll help you create your roadmap for the whole of 2024. Commit one day to the future of your business, get into CEO mode and make strategic decisions around your offers, pricing, marketing and sales. Then put it all together so you can maximise productivity and results. For more information and to book click here.

 

ATOMICON – BY ANDREW AND PETE

What is Atomicon?

Atomicon is self-labelled as one of Europe’s latest marketing and small business conferences. I had booked my tickets, what felt like YEARS, ago so was so excited when June 2023 finally arrived and I headed to Newcastle.

 

Now I was gutted as Rachel Rodgers, who I was super excited to see, had to pull out. However, I still had an amazing time. This is a business event that doesn’t feel like a business event. I arrived the day before when there are fringe events. I did a group TikTok by the river and then headed to the pre-party. By the time it was ready to call it a night I had met so many people in real life that I’d only ever talked to online that it already felt like a great investment.

 

Then the actual day was jam-packed. At multiple times in the day there are 3 options, which was tough as sometimes you just want to go to more than one. However, you get replay access so I knew I could catch up on the ones I missed.

 

My views on the sessions were mixed. Some were great. Some ok. And then to finish it all off another party!

 

Will I go again?

Absolutely! I’ve already booked my tickets for 2024 and can not wait!

 

Next event

Atomicon 2024

18th June 2024

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

For more information and to book click here.

 

 

UK BLACK BUSINESS SHOW

I went to the London part of the UK Black Business Show (they also have a Birmingham part). Of all the events I went to this year this was the one I knew the least about in advance. I suspected the vibe of this event would be very different to the other events I go to. However, as a Black British business owner I was excited to go to an event that was specifically created to inspire and connect black business owners.

 

The event took place at the Design Centre in Angel and upon entering I could tell straight away it wasn’t like most of the events I attend. It felt more like an Expo and there was a lot of stand with people promoting their business – and to my surprise big businesses trying to recruit people.

 

There were two sets of talks throughout the day and then at the end a keynote from Steven Bartlett. Now before this I wasn’t a big Steven Bartlett fan. I’d never listened to Diary of a CEO, but thought seeing him live would be different. Unfortunately I was unable to get a seat. So I stood for the whole hour, but it was worth it. And now I’m a regular Diary of a CEO listener.

 

Will I go again?

I would definitely consider going again, but it isn’t top of my list.

 

Next event

UK Black Business Show

Saturday 19th October

London

For more information and to buy tickets click here.

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN BUSINESS! BOOK A 2024 STRATEGY DAY Smart business owners know that for the best results you need to plan in advance. That’s why I run strategy days where in just one day I’ll help you create your roadmap for the whole of 2024. Commit one day to the future of your business, get into CEO mode and make strategic decisions around your offers, pricing, marketing and sales. Then put it all together so you can maximise productivity and results. For more information and to book click here.

 

THE MARKETING MEETUP (NOTTINGHAM EDITION) 

Last, but not least, on the local front I went to the Nottingham edition of the Marketing Meetups a few time. If you’ve never heard of The Marketing Meetup it is community for marketers that runs a lot of online events, as well as having in-person events across the UK.

 

The Nottingham Marketing Meetups are hosted at the gorgeous Impression offices and these events offer a great opportunity to network, on an ongoing basis, as well as learn something new.

 

Across the year I’ve heard from speakers about email marketing, rebranding, LinkedIn, understanding your leadership style and so much more.

 

Compared to the other events I go to this is a very marketing focused event, which I love. And it is nice to have the opportunity to build relationships over time without having to get up super early to go breakfast networking.

 

Will I go again?

Absolutely! I absolutely love going and will continue to go whenever I can.

 

The Marketing Meetup have multiple in-person events happening every month in different locations. Click here to see if there is an in-person event happening near you in the future. 

 

That’s it. You now know about my 2023 experience of attending UK Business and Marketing events.

 

Did you go to any great events in 2023? Already booked for a great UK Business or Marketing events in 2024. Share in the comments.

 

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Make 2024 your best year yet in business! 

If you want 2024 your best year ever in business then you need to make sure you have a plan. And planning doesn’t need to take forever. That’s why I run strategy days where in just one day I’ll help you create your roadmap for the whole of 2024.

Commit one day to the future of your business, get into CEO mode and make strategic decisions around your offers, pricing, marketing and sales. Then put it all together so you can maximise productivity and results.

To find out more, and to book a 2024 Strategy Day click here.