We have had a busy few months, as we have been planning our events programme and providing networking and training opportunities up to the end of this year.
We are thrilled to report that we now have 74 Chamber members, representing all the vibrant business sectors across our town, from haulage, logistics and shipping, to HR, recruitment, travel and tourism.
We have also been pleased to welcome a wider membership from our all-important retailers, both independent and High Street, and we urge as many of you as possible to engage with us and find out how we can help you to grow your business and increase your sales.
We will be hosting our next event on Tuesday 26th September – a ‘Safari Networking Experience’ at @Inc. Felixstowe, 87 Hamilton Road, from 9am to 11am.
This networking adventure is all about redefining how we connect and collaborate, embracing a fresh approach. 15-minute conversations with randomly assigned small groups, against @Inc. Felixstowe’s dynamic backdrop, will create a sense of camaraderie amongst peers in a small-business setting.
Whether you’re a member or not, everyone is welcome to join us on this journey of fast-paced business ‘speed dating’!
We also been hosting our first training sessions for ‘Supporting Mental Health (For Managers in SMEs)’, in conjunction with Suffolk Mind, on 3rd and 10th August at Felixstowe Library.
This free two-day session – worth £230 RRP – provides key business people with the practical tools and confidence to support others and to feel confident enough to have open and productive conversations about mental wellbeing and self-care with their teams.
Chamber Committee member Julie McCracken reported back from the first day of the course:
“The day was well-structured and the content was interesting, very relevant and enjoyable. We completed exercises in groups and shared our learning and how we might apply it in the workplace – focussing specifically on our own various work settings.
“The trainers were welcoming, with a nice, relaxed sense of humour. The group and general environment were also warm and engaging. I’m looking forward to the final day.”
As part of our commitment to providing our community with opportunities to enhance their business environment and culture, we will be holding another of our ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ training courses with the NHS’ TrainEEast on Wednesday 4th October, from 9am to 4pm, at DWP / Job Centre Plus, 29-31 Hamilton Road.
This six-hour course is ideal for lower risk workplaces, or anyone who requires a comprehensive one-day First Aid course. This qualification is valid for three years and would need a half-day annual refresher. Members: £120 per person (25% Discount) / Non-members: £160 per person.
We will also be hosting a very exclusive ‘Networking Breakfast and Tour of the Port of Felixstowe‘ on Tuesday 12th October, from 8am to 10.30am.
Popular View Point Café will be opening early to welcome our Chamber breakfast reception, and members and non-members can enjoy a full English breakfast (or vegan and vegetarian alternatives), and mingle with each other.
Port Customer Relations Manager, Debbie Coe, will be taking Chamber guests on a fascinating tour of the UK’s busiest container port, which handles some 48% of the nation’s containerised trade, and will be sharing amazing facts and figures with us all, as we are escorted by the Port Police around this unique site on an executive coach, provided by Felixstowe Travel.
Places are limited to a maximum of 40 and we are expecting this rare behind-the-scenes opportunity to sell out quickly (valid photo ID required), so don’t delay, book today!
If you would like to attend our upcoming events, sign up to training courses or become a Chamber member, please contact our Business Officer, Amanda Oliver, at [email protected].
We are always on the lookout for exciting new venues to showcase in and around Felixstowe – for both breakfast and evening networking – and for sponsors for our events, so please do get in touch with any suggestions.