The Social Enterprise Exchange Marketplace 2017 – What’s It All About?
Posted: 26 October 2016, in Blog
Tuesday 21 March 2017, Edinburgh Corn Exchange
All event information and online bookings at: socialenterpriseexchange.scot
#SocEntEx17
The Social Enterprise Exchange Marketplace 2017 – what’s it all about?
It’s fair to say that we’re excited to open the bookings for our brand new Social Enterprise Exchange Marketplace 2017 event – and everyone is welcome to take part.
This new, big, national trade fair, networking and learning opportunity will take place on Tuesday 21 March 2017 at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. The one day event is a marketplace of over 80 exhibitors trading their goods and services and a diverse mix of over 600 delegates, an event designed to take Scotland’s brilliant social enterprises forward.
We’re delighted that Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, will open the conference. This demonstrates how significant social enterprise has now become across urban and rural Scotland. It’s fast becoming an essential part of Scotland’s communities and economy.
The Social Enterprise Exchange Marketplace 2017 will also provide an opportunity to share knowledge, challenge old thinking and orthodoxy and consider new campaigns around a number of crucial topics – from housing to social care, person centred services, natural capital, sustaining impact, community empowerment, ethical finance, inclusive growth and much more.
Discussions will create space to build upon the growing understanding of the way in which social enterprise is viewed by the public and private sectors, and capture the energy of consumer-facing social enterprise.
The event will coincide with an exciting, yet challenging, time for Scotland. New powers for The Scottish Parliament, local government elections on the horizon, the implementation of the 10 year Social Enterprise Strategy for Scotland and, of course, the Brexit challenge of UK withdrawal from the European Union.
At the last Social Enterprise Exchange, held in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, more than 75% of people traded on the day or developed connections they expected to lead to a business opportunity.
We’re encouraging anyone with an interest in social enterprise to take part. It’s for those who work in a social enterprise or enterprising charity and want to sell their goods and services. It’s also for anyone working in a public body or private sector business who wants to support or work with social enterprises. Or maybe you’re thinking of starting up a social enterprise or you’re just interested in learning more? The Exchange is the place to be in 2017 for everything social enterprise.
But why is it different from other trade fairs, conferences and events? Yes it’s a new event and a new experience, building on our previous events. But more importantly social enterprise is about a new way of thinking and being and a new way for us to deliver jobs, regeneration and prosperity – in a more ethical, inclusive and sustainable way.
As we make steps towards a better economy, based on what people and planet really need, social enterprise has radical potential to benefit everyone.
Please make all your colleagues, friends and contacts aware of the event by sharing this post – and Tweet about the event using #SocEntEx17
Social Enterprise Scotland members get big discounts on delegate places and exhibition stands, so join online today (socialenterprise.scot/join). We also have a variety of exclusive event sponsorship opportunities – email fraser.kelly@socialenterprise.scot or call 0131 243 2650.
We’re delighted to welcome our current sponsors: Resilient Scotland, Social Investment Scotland and The Scottish Government.
We very much welcome your questions and suggestions about the event: enquiries@socialenterpriseexchange.scot or 0808 164 1525.