Elevator’s sixth annual Making it Happen conference has sold out in record time, with almost 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, future leaders and students and school pupils registering for a space in just a matter of days.
The largest event in Elevator’s social calendar, the conference will be held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. The theme that runs throughout the conference - If not you, who? If not now, when? - aims to encourage delegates to make it happen for themselves.
Five finalists in Elevator’s recently launched video Pitch It competition will also have the opportunity to present their business idea on stage in front of a live audience, as well as a panel of judges who will decide who should be awarded the £250 prize towards developing their idea. This competition is open for applications until 5pm on Friday October 28.
Inspirational Scottish mountaineer and quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew OBE will be the main speaker at the conference. Another eight speakers, all of whom have either launched their own enterprises or overcome significant obstacles, will include host Dee Bleakley, and local entrepreneurs Craig Buchan of QPal, Tom and Alice McAra of Rebel PT and Lucy Tuck of Definition Clinic. There will also be presentations by Mark Dallas of Insane Championship Wrestling, Nicola James of Vanilla Blush and Cameron Graham of Storii.
The conference – sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, FSB, Business Gateway and Bridge to Business – will also include a morning event for North East Scotland College (NESCOL) students in Fraserburgh.
Elevator chief executive Gary McEwan said: “In my experience, there is a moment in time, even for 'born entrepreneurs’, when they decide ’this is my moment’ a flash of inspiration or opportunity, which they seize and nurture. The pieces are falling into place and they just require that final shot of inspiration to bring the plan to life and make it happen.
“This often comes from the inspiration we draw from the experiences of others, no different from us but who have created something wonderful from virtually nothing. Attending our Elevator Conference puts attendees in a place where they will hear breath-taking stories from ordinary people who have created extraordinary businesses and have achieved extraordinary things. It is fantastic to see the event ‘sell out’ quicker than ever before, a sign of an appetite for inspiration in the local region.
“We are also very excited about the Pitch It competition and we would encourage as many aspiring entrepreneurs to enter their 60-second video presentation as possible. It’s a great opportunity to get your idea heard by hundreds of people, including many who have been in your shoes and have already started on the road to running their own business.”
For anyone interested in attending the Making it Happen conference, early bird bookings can be made at www.elevatoruk.com.