BCP Council Business Update

📢 VisitBritain Content Marketing Webinar – Date & Format: 11 February 2026, online via Microsoft Teams – Provides industry stakeholders with structured overview of VisitBritain's updated content framework for 2026 – Covers forthcoming priorities, recommended digital, web, and AI practices for content development – Guidance on submitting industry content and stories for the year ahead – Open to all industry partners to support collaborative promotion of travel to Britain

🤖 The AI Exchange Business Session – Date & Location: 2 March 2026, SmartBase, Aviation Park West, Christchurch – Delivered by Dan Griffiths (Interpin) and David Mutton (Evolve Advisory) – Focus: how businesses use AI for competitive advantage – Target audience: business owners, directors, sole traders, and professionals across all sectors – Hosted by Evolve, funded by BCP Council through UK Shared Prosperity Fund

🚀 Start Up Business Breakfast – Date & Location: 3 March 2026, Evolve, Poole – Designed for first three years of trading or exploring business ideas – Features business owners and advisors sharing lessons learned, successes, and failures – Provides networking opportunities with like-minded founders and genuine support – Funded by BCP Council through UK Shared Prosperity Fund

📊 Positive About Poole Poll – MP Neil Duncan-Jordan hosted 'Positive About Poole' event last year bringing together local businesses and community groups – Poll available for Poole residents to shape the town's future – Compiles recommendations from the conference on improving Poole as place to live and work

🌍 The People Vs Climate Change Screening – Date & Location: 11 March 2026, Lees Lecture Theater, Bournemouth University – Community screening of BBC-broadcast documentary followed by panel discussion – Features Executive Producer Steve Smith and local experts – Explores climate action in Dorset specifically – Open to local community, BU staff, and students

📅 Additional Upcoming Events (February-May 2026) – 10 February: Perfect the Pitch, Growth Forum on Business Growth Strategies – 11 February: Funding for Scale (Financials), Practical AI for Manufacturing – 24 February: Growth Forum on AI & Automation – 26 February: Supporting High Streets - HR Legislation Update – 3 March: AI Marketing webinar – 5 March: Legal Compliance & Security for High Streets – 12 March: The Careers and Apprenticeship Show – 19 March: Developing Talent - Mentoring & Coaching – 22 April: Fundamentals of Innovation Adoption Training

💼 Available Resources – BCP Council workplace travel plan development – Gov.uk directory of current funding and support – Innovate UK funding opportunities – Dorset Business Mentors (formerly DorMen) – Export advice for SMEs doing business in UK and overseas

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