Events

Ongoing, exciting events are part of the very fabric of the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, to the delight of our clients and visitors.

From major symposia and exhibitions to bespoke, leading edge courses on a range of business topics hosted by acknowledged experts, something fresh and imaginative is always on the horizon.

When we offer business support we mean what we say.

From Intellectual property through marketing and into International Trade, we cover all this and much, much more with details on forward events notified on our web site. You can also call us on 01422 399400 for all the very latest info.

CREATIVE CALDERDALE LAUNCH AT ELSIE WHITELEY

The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre are proud to announce they will be hosting the launch night of the Creative Calderdale initiative with a fabulous guest speaker, exhibition and networking event during the week commencing 5th July 2010.

The Creative Calderdale project, funded by Calderdale Council and managed by the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, aims to undertake the development and operation of a creative industry network across Calderdale to encourage the start-up of new businesses in the sector, attract inward investment, and improve competitiveness of local creative and digital industries.

As part of the project, Creative Calderdale will be establishing an online hub for the network which will include a secure log-in and members area with exclusive content, on-line magazine, map based business locator system and a comprehensive searchable database of all the creative industries currently operating in Calderdale.

Further details for the launch event to follow.

Our last event, Be inspired with…Linda Barker on Thursday 4th March, below is the report taken from the Halifax Evening Courier

Linda Barker tells her story of success
Published Date: 10 March 2010

MORE than 80 business people were in Halifax to hear celebrity interior designer Linda Barker share her success story.The event held at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre was organised by the centre and Business Link Yorkshire.

Born and raised in Shelf, Linda took an art foundation course at Percival Whitley College but unsure on the next career step and in need of paying the rent, she joined an airline as a cabin crew member.

She began decorating in her own home and then would help friends with their furnishings in her spare time.

A few years later she moved to London and it was there that her work caught the eye of a magazine editor and she started writing for interior-design magazines. That gave her a break with Changing Rooms – a format that ran for 10 years.It was this that helped her create the Linda Barker brand for interiors. She created a new interior furnishings mail order catalogue and website – Really Linda Barker.

"Changing Rooms changed the way that people thought about me, and the way that I thought about myself," said Linda.

"I really have to pinch myself to realise just what I've achieved.

"For me, success has come from seizing every opportunity.

"If opportunity comes your way you have to grab it with both hands and not let go."

Linda's tip for success was to have a tangible product behind a brand and match customer expectations.She added sticking to a business plan was key, as well as seeking professional advice when needed.


How Creative is Calderdale event - Thursday the 10th of September

As reported by The Halifax Evening Courier:

CALDERDALE'S creative businesses need to shout up about their work.

That was the message delivered by BBC Look North's Christa Ackroyd, the keynote speaker at Creative Calderdale, a networking event that attracted around 100 people to the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre. "I think we are a bit quiet in Calderdale. One thing lacking in Halifax is the confidence to shout."Her address came as the findings of a study commissioned by Calderdale Council to map the borough's digital and creative businesses was revealed. Ask Strategic Marketing and Research was given the job of discovering what support the sector both needed and wanted.

Since the last survey in 2003, there had been a 50 per cent increase in the number of firms – to 1,433 businesses – which now make up 20 per cent of all businesses in Calderdale.The findings of the survey will be used to help the sector grow and prosper.Christa, who came to Halifax and worked for the Courier 34 years ago, said it was up to Calderdale to make the change.She added the Piece Hall, if successful in its funding bid for a major revamp, could underpin that. "If the Piece Hall happens the town will buzz, "All you creative people can then use that buzz. "We have the most unique building in the world. Why are we not shouting about it?"

 

David Moore, head of Calderdale Council regeneration, said the growth of the creative sector would open up opportunities for the local economy.The sector now represents 11 per cent of the Yorkshire region's digital and creative sector. He said the key was for the private and public sectors to work together to drive it forward. He said plans for the Piece Hall, including possibly turning the top floor into an incubator for start-up businesses, would nurture the sector.
Companies told the meeting they wanted help from the council with marketing as most, being small firms, didn't have the time or funds to invest in it. Others asked for a clear package of business support from the council. Susan Kenyon, of Ask Marketing, said 78 per cent of businesses surveyed wanted an online portal to bring them all together.

The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre was hailed as a beacon for creative collaboration and business success.

 

Innovative Calderdale event – 17th June 2009

As reported by the Halifax Courier.

COMPANIES were given an in-depth insight into how to protect their work and ideas.

The latest Innovative Calderdale event at the Elsie Whiteley Innovative Centre, invited the national Intellectual Property Office to explain copyright, designs and trademarks to businesses. Nearly 80 companies attended the packed event, coming from within Calderdale as well as Leeds and Hull. Elsie Whiteley's business development manager Ha Smith said: "We are an innovation centre so we see it as our role to encourage innovation within the centre and wider afield, facilitating this process by bringing in guest speakers in the field. Intellectual property (IP) is a really hot topic when it comes to innovation - from protecting ideas or creativity to trademarks."

The IPO is the body to go to for registering intellectual property rights - for example a trademark, a patent on a new invention and copyright. Gary Townley, IPO business events manager, said: "Most small to medium sized businesses are unaware of intellectual rights and the value to the company so our role is to raise that threshold for companies to make an informed decision. "You don't have to protect but it adds value to the business." He added copyrights and trademarks are popular themes at the moment. Mr Townley said unless otherwise agreed upon at the start, a commissioned photographer or website designer owns the work. "It's always best to look at things before you start rather than get cut out at a later date," he said. People were surprised to know trademarks can be checked easily online for free. And many didn't know it costs only £200 for a UK trademark which lasts 10 years.

The IPO was so impressed with the centre it is hoping to hold its IP awareness event there in October. John Millar, research and development manager at Yorkshire Forward, was also at the event to update businesses on the range of grants, loans and other support available for innovation

Feedback...

I would just like to thank you very much for inviting me to the event on Wednesday night, which I enjoyed and found extremely useful. A lot of hard work must go into organizing the evening and I thought it was excellent.
Pam Stevenson, Owner, Jewellery By Design

Being an organiser of B2B Conferences, networking at the appropriate events is a must for our business. I use the term ‘appropriate’ as there are many about at this time and the secret to a successful event is to attract like-minded individuals and offer them specific, relevant content.

Innovative Calderdale, in my opinion and experience, draws in speakers and delegates who are all passionate about improving the processes within their businesses and thus are keen and open to meet and learn from other individuals present.

Time is tight for most and I know that attending Innovative Calderdale is a good investment. I have always left with valuable contacts and information for my business. The food is spot on also…..!
Danny Matharu, Director, Hillrich Ltd

I enjoyed it all! It was very interesting, many thanks!
Sophie Allott, Director, GO Venue Finder

If you would like to view these presentations, please click below:

Click here to download Intellectual Property Presentation

Click here to download Funding Opportunities Presentation.