Safari Networking Event - a great success!

We were delighted to welcome 50 plus members and guests from fellow chambers of commerce and networking groups from around the region all together under one roof for a networking experience with a difference!

This was a first Safari experience for many who left inspired and excited with many new contacts to be followed up and potential business to be done.

This a great networking opportunity which offers businesses the chance to locate contacts, make connections, develop relationships, make recommendations and referrals, seize and create business opportunities and exchange value! 

Meet the Neighbours shows that business doesn't recognise borders.  Keep your eyes on www.thesacc.com for the date of the next event in 2018 to be announced in the coming weeks.

Thanks to our speakers

Our guest speaks went down a storm with an informative and well received presentation by Chris Wiggan Head of External Affairs at London Stansted Airport.  Chris updated on the progression of the airport  and the plans ahead including the new arrivals terminal which is to be on 3 levels.

Once the work is complete, Stansted Airport will be able to boast being the only operating UK airport with dedicated arrivals and departures terminals. 

London Stansted achieved its busiest ever September as over 2.45 million passengers travelled through the airport during the month, surpassing the previous record set 10 years ago in September 2007.

Chris also touched upon the news of their commitment, alongside Harlow College, to develop and deliver a Technical and Professional Skills Centre to be located on the airport. This will provide invaluable vocational training opportunities, with a focus on addressing geographical gaps in local provision and skills. The project will train approximately 530 young people and adults per year in vocational skills, traineeships and Apprenticeships and will support the development of employment growth at London Stansted Airport.  It will enable employers at the airport to recruit young people and adults with appropriate levels of skills, and will allow local residents to acquire advanced and higher level skills.

Adam Stott, successful businessman and entrepeneur delighted the audience with tips on "how to make it big in business".  In just 9 years, 34 year-old entrepreneur, Adam Stott, built Big Cars from scratch into a £40million turnover business.

By focusing on being a customer service business that happens to sell cars, Big Cars has broken the mould of traditional car dealers. Its innovative use of Facebook has generated sales of £50 million and a following of more than 350,000 fans. Big Cars now employs 75 staff and sells more than 3,000 cars annually from four dealerships in Essex, Suffolk and Surrey.

In recognition of its achievements, Big Cars has twice been recognised by the London Stock Exchange as one of the Top 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain (2015 and 2016).

Adam’s flair for business and entrepreneurial spirit has propelled him forward to become an international speaker on business, a best-selling author on Amazon and coach to a growing number of business owners. He established ‘Big Business Events’ in 2016, as a forum for supporting aspiring business owners, as well as established businesses seeking growth advice.

Adam was shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2016 Amazon Growing Business Awards.

Some of the comments received this morning...

"Thanks for another great evening. I have 20 appointments to be followed up..."

Dean Walters | Business Development Manager

"Great speed networking event with other chambers, very interesting airport talk as always by Chris Wiggins from MAG....thanks Julie Budden 25 new contacts made..."

Paula Tatchell | Head of Sales and Marketing UK

"Great night, well done..."

Ross Leary  | Training Consultant

Special thanks to our Sponsor Novotel London Stansted Airport and our Partners:

• Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce
• Bishop's Stortford Chambers of Commerce
• Brentwood Chambers of Commerce
• EBN
• Business Exchange Networks
• Meet the Town