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Supporting businesses in LS29
Promoting businesses in LS29
Events throughout the year
Networking, well know speakers, FUN

Welcome to Ilkley Business Forum (IBF)

We are a membership forum run by members for members. Our aim is to:

Promote and support businesses within the LS29 area
Increase business transactions between members
Represent the local business community in any dealings with local, regional and national councils and authorities
Contribute to the prosperity of the LS29 community

Ilkley Business Forum is a proactive and vibrant group and we achieve our aims by:

Providing opportunities for members to connect and engage on a monthly basis
Develop the business building skills and knowledge of our members through seminars, workshop and expert speakers at our meetings
Raising the profile of LS29 businesses by hosting events such as the Shopping Trail and Showcase
We have a collective voice at local level, are able to influence policy and are regularly consulted by councillors and our local MP

Why not come along to one of our meetings and get a feel for what IBF is all about. We would love to see you there. You can see who is attending our meetings on Eventbrite.

If you are a business within the LS29 area and is interested in joining, our membership coordinators Liz and Deborah would be delighted to have a chat with you.

If you are a business outside the LS29 area you are most welcome to join us for networking, learning, meeting new contacts and we will even throw in some refreshments.

And it is all for FREE for first time visitors. We have a great line of up speakers and experts at our meetings so why not take advantage of this great offer?

Future Plans

As you are aware we are currently organising the Tour De France map which will enable members to advertise your business to 10,000 people at a reduced rate to that charged to non-members. If you are interested in an advertising spot, please contact Julia Forrester as soon as possible - there are only a couple of spots remaining! We are also pleased to be organising the first Business Growth Conference on Thursday 25th September 2014 at The Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley. The day will bring together business owners, professionals and stakeholders from the business community to meet, network, learn, build new relationships and ultimately trade. It will be FREE to delegates attending on the day. Members will be able to take a stand at the conference at a reduced rate to promote your business services on the day. More details to follow on this!

Next meeting

9th April
5.45 - 7.45 pm
The Wheatley Arms, Wheatley Lane, Ben Rhydding LS29 8PP
Networking, refreshments, members' pitches and Becky Leach will talking about Simple Sales - Basics and Sales and Customer Service Skills that anyone can implement to give confidence and generate more business and loyalty . Come along to the Forum's meeting on Wednesday April 9th to learn more from an expert.
Becky primarily works with the Tourism and Hospitality industry but also with other SME’s helping to increase business through affordable and creative means, which include social media scheduling, press releases, sales representation and sales and customer service skills training.
Having worked within various revenue and sales roles for Visit Britain, Marriott Hotels and Leeds Bradford Airport, Becky was given a kick start to set up the business following redundancy and the birth of her second little girl.
During her 12 years with Marriott, Becky was responsible for managing and motivating a cluster conference sales team from enquiry stage to conversion of the business. As Director of Sales she compiled sales training for all hotel staff in both sales and none sales roles. She was also certified in training Marriott Sales courses. These quickly became areas that she loved and did well in.
Training is an area which she particularly enjoys and it gives her immense satisfaction to help other people. Using the wealth of experience and knowledge that she has built up over the years to develop others, using the skills and techniques which she has proved to be effective. Helping both existing sales people to gain further confidence and also prove that anyone (even if you think you are not a sales person!!) can learn basic sales skills and implement them successfully within their business.

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