Chance to sponsor prestigious event

North Wiltshire businesses are being given the chance to sponsor a prestigious national event, when it comes to Chippenham in October.

Back in March, Chippenham won the right to host the prestigious Action for Market Towns Convention - the first town in the southwest to achieve this.

Now the North Wilts Economic Partnership, which was part of the team behind the successful bid, is offering North Wiltshire businesses the chance to put their name to the event, by securing a sponsorship deal.

Colette Mallon, manager of the North Wilts Economic Partnership, said: “The AMT Convention presents businesses with a unique opportunity to access, understand and network with key representatives, decision makers and influencers from the public sector, the market towns community sector and a wide range of organisations that work with and support them.

“For North Wiltshire firms which are, or want to be, a supplier of products and services to communities throughout the UK and are seeking marketing or business development opportunities, AMT Convention offers unrivalled access to delegates and contributors, along with exposure in the media.”

Smaller companies can get involved in sponsorship too. There are a number of workshops and study tours that can be supported (see separate box) whilst a Made in North Wiltshire delegates’ pack showcasing the talents of the area’s manufacturing and creative industries is being put together, to which businesses are invited to contribute.

The Theme of the convention is Running on Empty – Supporting Self-Reliance in Communities.

Up to 250 delegates from across the country will visit the town over two days in October to discuss the development and regeneration of market towns the length and breadth of the country.

Managers from county, district and town councils, and representatives from other bodies including development trusts, will be represented at the convention, each with a procurement budget.

Wiltshire Council alone spent £300 million in 2009-10 purchasing goods and services from the private sector.

NWEP - a public/private sector body that is tasked with driving economic growth in, and attracting inward investment to, the area - pledged up to £10,000 to support Chippenham´s bid to host the event, making the body the biggest financial backer of the initiative.

Other supporters included the Chippenham Area Partnership, which submitted the application, Wiltshire Council and Chippenham Town Council. Chippenham Chamber of Commerce and North Wilts MP James Gray also voiced their support.

For further details, contact Colette at colette.mallon@wiltshire.gov.uk or on 07734 679600.

The Action for Market Towns Convention will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 12 and 13.

AMT convention events

Joined-up visions for the future:
Developing a Master Plan and Community Plan for Chippenham.

Market towns are for young people too:
Creating a successful Youth Strategy.

Running successful projects on a shoestring:
Delivering the Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre.

Exploiting your liquid assets:
Making the most of the River Avon as under-used resource for residents and visitors.

Saving your energy:
Promoting local energy efficiency, including an innovative Thermal
Imaging project.

Cashing-in on visitor spend:
Promoting tourism and enhancing the visitor experience.

Filling the funding gap:
Finding funding to sustain your town partnership through lean times.

Raising finance locally:
How social enterprises and community share offers can provide the investment for community shops and other businesses.

Joined-up thinking:
Using community-led planning to influence local authority strategy and deliver the new Government’s Open Source approach.

Different roles, common purpose:
A blue print to help your councils and community partnerships combine forces effectively.

Joined-up communities and economies:
Understanding the place of your town within a wider economic assessment.

Thriving town centres:
How to develop a healthy retail sector in your town.

Local green energy:
Opportunities to harness sustainable energy in your town and the financial rewards.

Innovation in rural services:
Practical ideas for saving money and safeguarding essential services in your town.