2023 WeDO Conference – Shaping Scotland’s Future & Championing Our Talents

INSIGHTS

We will be joined by six outstanding keynote speakers who will be sharing inspiring entrepreneurial stories of success and growth strategies, as well as thought-provoking insights on ‘The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Presenters’ – essential skills for anyone in business.  We will hear about the challenges faced by our speakers, as well as their innovation insights – there will be no rose-tinted glasses journey sharing!  We are conscious that few of us enjoy listening to long speeches and each speaker will therefore talk for 20 minutes, followed by a 5 minute Q & A.

We will also be hearing the views and opinions of a fantastic experts on our “Business & the Economy’ and “Funding & Investment’ panels which will be highly interactive sessions with ample opportunity for attendees to ask questions.  Additionally, there will be two ‘In Conversations’ with engaging guests discussing a wide variety of topics.

FOCUS

The focus of the Conference is creating and embracing opportunities.  The day has been curated to deliver true value and deliverable outcomes for entrepreneurs and business leaders following key themes of passion, drive and resilience will resonate.  There will be an unrivalled and energising opportunities to network and connect with your peers.

Attendees will have the opportunity to absorb, learn from, and share the latest thought leadership, best practises and challenges currently facing Scottish businesses which is a powerful offering to any entrepreneur or business leader. The opportunity to spend time with like-minded peers and be more analytical about your business is a powerful energiser, resulting in greater inspiration and a refreshed outlook.

We’re not about the ordinary, we’re about the extraordinary.  You won’t find speakers at our Conference who are ‘on the circuit’.  You won’t find speakers who you’ve already heard at many other events.

Who you hear will inspire you with unique, engaging stories far from the norm of many entrepreneurial events and SME business conferences.  There will be a 5 minute Q & A afterwards to give you the opportunity to ask questions to each speaker.  Click HERE to find out more about our speakers.

Our ‘Scottish Business and the Economy’ and “Funding and Investment’ panels will be a fascinating opportunity to hear the views of key leaders and experts from the media and business in Scotland. The sessions will incorporate Q & As on each topic above, giving delegates plenty of opportunity to ask questions & join in the debate.  Click HERE to find out more about our panelists.

Our ‘In Conversations’ are hosted by Richard Simpson, joint Managing Director of Tayburn, member of the WeDO Executive Team and host of the soon to be launching WeDO Podcast.  In the morning, he will be in conversation with Jason Allardyce, renowned journalist and former Editor of The Sunday Times Scotland.  Our afternoon ‘In Conversation’ guest is Dr Brian Williamson, one of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors, in 2017, he won our Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Scottish entrepreneurial and business communities.  Click HERE to find out more about our ‘In Conversation’ guests.

NETWORKING

Having listened to feedback from previous years, we have included more time for networking – there will be two and a half hours during the day to mix and mingle with fellow attendees followed by a Drinks Reception to close the event.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

The Conference is open to members, with a limited number of 23 non-members tickets available on a strictly first come, first served basis.  We limit overall numbers to enhance networking opportunities and ensure participation is maximised for all attendees.

“There is a fantastic energy in the room, that comes from having phenomenally successful Scottish business people mixing with exciting aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s a very powerful combination!”

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING?

• Learn from the best – an outstanding opportunity to be inspired & increase your skills & knowledge.
• Meet industry experts & learn from some of Scotland’s & the UK’s leading entrepreneurs.
• Network – build new relationships & strengthen those with peers you already know. 
• Taking time away from the office and working ‘on’ your business rather than ‘in’ it will encourage your creativity and idea generation.
• Meeting & hearing from like-minded, ambitious business leaders and entrepreneurs to spark your future plans.
• Find out about new approaches to business growth and innovative ideas to benefit your company.
• Investing in you as the business owner and leader will have exponential benefits to you, your teams and your company.
• Help sow the seeds & nurture relationships which often lead to reciprocal assistance for a variety of situations including innovation, joint ventures, distribution partnerships, investment, sales leads, market intelligence and much more. 

PROGRAMME

Click HERE to view the Programme for the day.

A VAT invoice will be issued once you have booked your ticket. Please note that ticket sales end at noon on Friday 10th November.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Tickets can be cancelled and refunded by emailing [email protected]. We regret that any tickets cancelled after noon on Tuesday 31st October will not be applicable for refunds for any reason.  Tickets can be transferred to a different name until Friday 10th October at 5pm by emailing [email protected]

If you’re interested in finding out more about WeDO, click HERE.

To apply for membership, click HERE.