31.10.2014
Businesses from across Scotland are being urged to take this last opportunity to sign up for the Scottish Parliament’s annual business conference.
Now in its ninth year, Business in the Parliament brings together politicians and senior representatives from businesses across Scotland during the two day event on 6 and 7 November at Holyrood.
Tackling the major issues that matter to Scottish businesses, this year’s event will look at ‘Shaping Scotland’s Economic Future’.
Key note speakers will include the Chief Executive of Virgin Money, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, First Minister Alex Salmond and Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Murdo Fraser.
Delegates will also benefit from the expertise of leading business people during a series of workshops on a wide range of issues including exporting to new and emerging markets; supporting a youth business boom and a digitally connected Scotland.
Held jointly by both the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, the event is supported by all the main business organisations in Scotland (CBI Scotland, Federation of Small Business, Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Institute of Directors, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scottish Financial Enterprise) as well as the STUC and the Parliament’s Business Exchange.
If you are a business that would like to sign up for the event, please visit our website: www.businessintheparliament.org.uk/default.aspx
Businesses will then receive an email letting them know if they have been successful in securing one of the last remaining places.
There is no charge for attending this conference.
The full conference programme is below
Thursday 6 November
6.00pm- Guests arrive
6.00pm- Reception hosted by The Presiding Officer, The Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP in the Main Public Hall
7.00pm- Formal Dinner in the Garden Lobby
Friday 7 November
8.15am- Arrival and registration with refreshments and a light breakfast
9.00am- Welcome from The Presiding Officer -The Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP in the Debating Chamber
9.10am- Views from the Committee – Murdo Fraser MSP, Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
9.20am- Views from the business community – Jayne-Anne Gadhia, CEO of Virgin Money and Chair of Scottish Business in the Community
9:55am- Scottish Government view - The First Minister, The Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MSP
10.15am- Networking Opportunity - tea and coffee (Garden Lobby)
10.45am- Workshops in the Committee Rooms: discussion of key themes
12.20pm- Question and answer session on delegates questions on Shaping Scotland’s Economic Future in the Debating Chamber
Panel consisting of Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, a cross party selection from the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
1.15pm- Closing speech – John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth
1.30pm- Closing Remarks – The Presiding Officer, The Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP