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As a result of the conference not taking place in September, we have created a digital programme of the topics through our Webinar Series. Each of our speaker talks is available for you to view at your leisure.
Emerging Retail Trends – how are customers spending on the High Street?
Nicki Butler
Sales & Marketing Manager | Beauclair Ltd
Description
How is consumer spending evolving on the high street? What are the latest trends? What are their expectations? Delve into the insights shaping spending.
Circular Economy: the key to unlocking resilience in a challenging business environment
Tracy Sutton
Director | Root
Rob Robinson
Sustainable Business & Circular Economy Programme Manager | Kent County Council
Description
The government’s Circular Economy Growth Plan is expected in the autumn and set to reshape how businesses buy and handle materials. This practical session cuts through the noise to tell you what the Circular Economy actually is (and what it’s not), why it’s about to matter to your bottom line, and the first moves to make now — with sector-specific examples. Ends with a 20-minute Advice Surgery, so bring your questions.
How sales just got personal
Simon Le Roux
Sales Director | Sales Geek (West Kent)
Description
This interactive workshop and talk focuses on how businesses can improve their sales experience for prospects and existing customers – putting the customer at the heart of the conversation.
Immersive Tech – the future is NOT always five years away
Steve Wells
Futurist and Founder | Informing Choices Ltd
Description
This engaging, informative session looks at what we mean by “Immersive Tech” and will cover the Metaverse, VR, AR, and haptics. With Steve giving practical examples of how the tech might be used by SMEs, not just big corporations.
Stop Managing Difference. Start Unlocking Potential.
Jess O'Connor
Founder | Firebowl Coaching & Consultancy
Description
What if your biggest opportunity isn’t hiring better people—but creating a workplace where the people you already have can truly thrive?
Many organisations unintentionally hold people back through systems, behaviours and cultures that were never designed for different ways of thinking. The result is missed potential, disengagement and talent walking out of the door.
You’ll leave this session with practical ideas to build a culture where everyone feels they can belong, understand and contribute.
Is this the end of face to face transactions?
Marcus Chidgey
CEO | Loqiva and Panel Guests
Description
Town centres and local communities are going through significant changes. Work from home, online shopping habits, AI and app-based communication are transforming the way in which we shop and work.
This Panel, chaired by CEO of Loqiva, a specialist in digital towns, will discuss whether we are seeing the decline of face to face customer transactions to make way for app pick ups for food and cashierless shopping amongst others
When will we see robots in the workplace?
Dr Giovanni Masala
Senior Lecturer – Robotics | Robotics Dept, University of Kent
Description
Humanoid robots are closer than you think, is this something we should be preparing for, and saving to invest in?
Employment Law and HR 2026: What Smart Businesses Are Doing Now to Stay Ahead
Description
Vital employment law and HR updates and tips that will give you the knowledge to protect yourself, your employees and your business.
The hidden risks in Cyber Security and how you can protect yourself
Rose Walton
Business Development Consultant | NFU Mutual
Sam Thompson
Business Development Consultant | NFU Mutual
Description
Take a deep dive into the hidden risks in Cyber Security and what businesses can do to protect themselves. The talk will take you through the minimum requirements a business needs to have a cyber insurance policy. You will have the opportunity to take a vulnerability test through a Dyna Risk report™ providing you with a report of your likelihood to succumb to a cyber-attack.
AI is electricity, not an appliance – which Mill Owner are you?
Jamie Dixon
Founder & CEO | VAYRO
Description
The last time a single technology rewired every industry, it was electricity. In the 1880s, 4 cotton mill owners in the same valley were sent out to understand it. They returned with the same information, opportunity, and window to act. What they did next decided everything. Jamie uses this analogy to enable you to consider what involvement you want, and the benefits that AI can have in your business
What Works (and What Doesn’t): CEO Insights for Building High-Performance Businesses
Description
A panel discussion with Ashley Scriven and Amy White from Loch, with business leaders including Malcolm Clarke, Chairman at Baxall Construction, to share insights and actionable tips for maximising performance, building resilience and sustaining workforce wellbeing while innovating for future success.
Innovative filming through fresh angles
Andy Betts
CAA OA Remote Pilot | Esprit Drone Services
Description
How ever more capable, and cost-effective, drones and 3D photography are helping businesses. From property to marketing campaigns, product placement to surveyors.
What we all need to know about new recycling scheme
Rob Robinson
Sustainable Business & Circular Economy Programme Manager | Kent County Council
Henry Saunders
Sustainability Manager | Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Description
With plans to bring back a bottle return scheme, amongst other recycling initiatives, what do businesses need to be planning for in the coming year.
Let’s About Agents: The Four Ideas Every Leader Needs Before They Buy One
Jamie Dixon
Founder & CEO | VAYRO
Description
The cleanest definition is that an Agent is a digital worker, It is not a chatbot. A chatbot waits to be asked. An Agent is given a job and gets on with it. Jamie explains how an agent does not replace your team, but removes the manual handling of information that quietly eats their day.
A word from our sponsor
As an extension of your team, Loch connects the dots between leadership, compliance, people strategy, and business growth when partnering with ambitious leaders and business owners. Loch’s integrated approach provides commercially focused, pragmatic solutions to help you protect, grow, or futureproof your organisation. By covering every angle, we give you the confidence to move forward for long-term success.
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