Networking groups join forces to eat their way through Biz Week
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Organisers of one of the Humber’s biggest corporate get-togethers are inviting delegates to eat their way through Biz Week at this year’s showcase.
A frantic festival of more than 40 business events is guaranteed to test the staying power of even the most determined of networkers but Biz Week chair Pat Coyle promises there will be no shortage of refuelling options.
New to the programme this year is a Street Food Supper Club, which is a collaboration between one of Hull city centre’s most vibrant dining destinations, a business supper club marking its tenth anniversary, and the Hull Young Professionals group.
Expected to pull a big crowd, the Street Food Supper Club will bring a party atmosphere to Paragon Arcade on Monday June 3, the first day of Humber Business Week.
Food vendors including HullBID Awards winner Milchig and finalist Stretch Pizza plus Oishii Ne Asian street food restaurant will be selling their wares between 4pm and 8pm. Also planning to open are Out of the Attic record store and Artisan Flowers, with Paragon Arcade owners Allenby Commercial providing entertainment.
Charlie Allenby, business development director at Allenby Commercial and a member of Hull Young Professionals, said: “We were approached by the organisers of the Monday Night Supper Club about hosting a joint event in Paragon Arcade and we recognised straight away it would be a great way to kick off Biz Week.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the businesses in the arcade to reach new audiences and it also raises awareness of the arcade itself as a potential destination for corporate events, whether that’s for individual organisations or a partnerships of networking groups.”
Pat, director of marketing and client relations at Rollits LLP, said: “Paragon Arcade has become a hub for great food in the city centre and the laid back vibe lends itself perfectly to an event like this, which will bring people together to unwind after a hectic first day of Biz Week.
“People might need to pace themselves because there’s a placebrand breakfast with Future Humber followed by the Biz Week Launch Lunch with guest speaker Pete Waterman and then the Street Food Supper Club – and that’s just on the Monday!
“There are breakfast events galore and a busy programme of lunch events includes Chamber Expo on the Tuesday and a bit of a twist with the Hull Businesswomen’s Breakfast Club presenting a lunch session on the Thursday. HullBID has its Inspiring People dinner at The Deep on the Wednesday and the following evening the University of Hull will host the official Humber Business Week dinner.
“We’re expecting great coffee from Elevenses at Sewell Studio on the Tuesday and that afternoon Rollits will be serving top quality cake for our Embracing Excellence event at the MKM Stadium.
“The Business Day at Bridlington Spa on the Friday is the closing event and starts early with breakfast, continues through lunch and wraps up with a celebratory champagne finale. Hull Speakers, which is a branch of Toastmasters International, will present a session on the Tuesday evening which might be of interest to after-dinner speakers. Our top tip would be if you’re planning to eat your way through Biz Week make sure you have some Gaviscon with you!”
Humber Business Week runs from Monday June 3 until Friday Juine 7. For details of all the events including how to book visit the website at https://www.humberbusinessweek.co.uk/