Celebrate the West Midlands evolution, from steel tools and manufacturing innovation to the ambition to become the Silicon Valley of the UK.
Join us at the Black Country Living Museum for a networking event to celebrate the region’s evolution, from the steel tools and manufacturing innovation that shaped our region to the West Midlands’ ambition to become the Silicon Valley of the UK.
This free evening event, scheduled for 10 March from 17:00 to 20:00, will offer space for entrepreneurs, innovators, and forward thinkers to connect, learn, and gain access to innovation support available across the region.
About the Event
We are planning engaging discussions, inspiring presentations from people with groundbreaking innovation, and interactive exhibits. The event will explore
Past: A specially tailored tour of the Black Country Museum’s Industrial Quarter. Learn about the industrial ingenuity that transformed the West Midlands and its global impact, as well as how certain changes in manufacturing processes in the 1900s were not initially perceived as innovations, yet they went on to revolutionize the sector as we know it today.
Present: Speak to our exhibitors about current opportunities and resources for innovation and business growth.
Future: Hear from thought leaders and entrepreneurs about emerging trends and how today’s ideas can become tomorrow’s transformative innovations.
The event will also feature:
- Networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and idea sharing.
- Access to local experts and advisors.
- A showcase of successful regional initiatives.
This event will celebrate the creativity and resilience that define our region and serve as a call to action for those who want to shape its future.
Agenda
Upon arrival, each attendee will receive a ticket with their designated tour time slot. The agenda and tour schedule are as follows:
5:00 pm – Arrival at the Visitor Centre and head down to Workers Institute
5:15 pm – Opening speech from David Middlemiss, Director of Development and External Affairs at BCLM
5:30 pm – 1st group joins the Brick Making and Aluminium Casting tour
(Exhibitor showcases, reception drinks, and canapés will be held in the Workers’ Institute for Groups 2 and 3)
5.30 pm – Virtual Decisions Showcase
5.45 pm – AluCast Showcase
6:00 pm – 2nd group joins the Brick Making and Aluminium Casting tour
(Exhibitor showcases, reception drinks, and canapés will be held in the Workers’ Institute for Groups 1 and 3)
6:00 pm – Walls of Eden Showcase
6.15 pm – Oxygens Showcase
6:30 pm – 3rd group joins the Brick Making and Aluminium Casting tour
(Exhibitor showcases, reception drinks, and canapés will be held in the Workers’ Institute for Groups 1 and 2)
6.30 pm – Innovate UK
6.45 pm – Department for Business and Trade
7:00 pm – All groups will come back to Workers Institute for further networking
7:10 pm – West Midlands Growth Company – ‘It Starts Here’ campaign
8:00 pm – Close
Slingshot