Accelerate aims to unlock potential of growth firms

BT, one of the major sponsors of the International Festival for Business 2014, is staging an event to help growing businesses unlock their potential.

The telecom provider, which has entered the sports broadcasting arena with BT Sport, has teamed up with Accelerate 2014, which is taking place on June 20 at ACC Liverpool.

It is holding a session on the theme of ‘Potential’ with Danny Longbottom, managing director, UK SME BT Business hosting the event and  speakers Adam Morgan, founder of eatbigfish, Emmanuel Gobillot, leadership consultant, and Rob Blackie, Director at OgilvyOne, discussing how SMEs can best use social media.

Mr Longbottom said: “Business success is so often about unlocking untapped potential, and that’s exactly what our ‘Potential’ event will explore.

“It will focus on leadership and driving business success, sharing insights and strategies from people who’ve done it, to help real businesses achieve their goals – whatever they may be.”

Accelerate 2014 boats a strong line-up of speakers sharing knowledge on the themes of ‘Passion, Performance & Power’.

They include: Apprentice judge and small business ambassador Karren Brady; Michelle Mone OBE, founder of Ultimo; Wayne Hemingway founder of HemingwayDesign; Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct; Kresse Wesling, founder of Elvis & Kresse; Steve Smith, Olympic medallist and co-founder of Raise the Bar; Bryan Adams, CEO of Ph. Creative; Adam Shaw, founder of The Ideas Company; and Andy Bounds, best-selling author of ‘The Snowball Effect’.

Accelerate 2014 will be presented by Liverpool-born TV journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, which developed the Accelerate initiative, and Chair of IFB 2014 said; “Liverpool has become an internationally recognised hub for trade and industry and last year’s inaugural Accelerate event was a huge success with people from across the UK coming to Liverpool for inspiration and advice from some of the most successful names in business.

“I am delighted that our Festival partner BT has seen the importance of Accelerate 2014 and is taking a significant part in the event, reflecting their commitment to supporting brilliant British business.”

BT is giving away 100 tickets to “Potential” when bookings are confirmed for Accelerate 2014 and attendees to “Potential” will have the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to see John Bishop or one of two iPad Airs.

To find out more and book tickets visit http://www.accelerate2014.co.uk/.