Essex Chambers of Commerce held its annual Festival of Business on 13 November at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Despite the autumnal chill and challenging traffic conditions in the morning it was very well attended, with over 100 exhibitors and in excess of 700 attendees.

This event showcases and celebrates the best of Essex business and any gloom provoked by the recent Budget was largely shrugged off – Essex businesses are a resilient lot – as the sun eventually came out and people mingled and networked freely and productively.

Alongside the exhibition a programme of interesting and entertaining speakers was expertly compered by Etholle George. A panel of judges adjudicated on the three worthy finalists of the Chambers’ Best in Business Awards: Zest Recycle, First Intuition and Miru Visuals. All three gave excellent presentations of how their business has excelled but there could be only one winner and the judges chose Miru Visuals, a Southend-based SME specialising in videographic, drone and other technologies supporting marketing and PR for high profile clients in the construction and property sectors.

Miru Visuals Managing Director, Billy Haynes, commented on their win saying:
“To win the Best in Business award has been brilliant. We have such an amazing team, delivering outstanding projects and campaigns for our clients, and for that commitment to be recognised is truly something special.

“As a business, we’re normally laser-focused on our clients and giving them our full attention, so it’s rare to have a moment in the spotlight but something we’re incredibly honoured by.

“I’m most proud of the approach we have away from the ‘work’, it’s the social aspect and supporting initiatives, helping others and ultimately growing the business in the right way. From that aspect, this award is extremely meaningful and now it’s proudly at the heart of our office.”

Guest speakers included Councillor Tony Ball from the main event sponsors Essex County Council and Joe Denham, Chairman and Chief Executive of Vegtrug Ltd. But star of the show was guest of honour Dame Prue Leith who entertained her audience with some amusing anecdotes about her early life and career, which began uncertainly and not without mishap (one very funny one involving a bathplug being plucked from a salad) but has blossomed and spread in all sorts of unforeseen directions.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning & Employability said:
“I was thrilled to join Denise in opening this year’s Festival of Business – Essex Has Talent. ECC’s Skills Team were very proud sponsors. Essex is a high performing county and this was reflected in the buzz amongst all who attended.

“Joe Denham and Dame Prue Leith provided fascinating insights and the skills required to run a business, with so much humour and energy, likewise the business award winners were truly inspiring.

“We were proud to launch Aspirational Essex, a programme for bold Employers, Providers and Residents, who are keen to make a difference to Essex’s skills landscape and workforce now and in the future. Something both myself and Cllr Louise Mckinlay, Cabinet member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, are very passionate about. Get in touch to be part of the conversation, by e-mailing skills@essex.gov.uk.”

Denise Rossiter, CEO of Essex Chambers of Commerce, was delighted with the event saying:
“The feedback for this year’s Festival of Business has been overwhelming. For an established event, in its third year to make a triumphant return in a different location and come back stronger than ever is a testament to the resilient talent present in our business community.

“From the excellent exhibitors, crowning Miru Visuals as the first deserving winner of the Best in Business Award, to our programme of insightful world class speakers, this was our biggest Festival to date. I would like to personally thank everyone who engaged with, participated, sponsored, and supported this event. Without you, the Festival could not be what it has become – the staple business event in Essex.”

Feedback from those attending was immediate and very positive and everyone is already looking forward to next year’s event.