Fusion Conference - Motivation For Business People In Caithness

27th September 2011

FUSION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE ADDRESSES ISSUES RISING FROM THE RECESSION

THURSDAY 17th November 11am - Friday 18th November 2011 Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

"The economy will only recover if we all work together," says Mark Sutherland-Fisher, chief executive of Fusion, the organisation set up to link rural entrepreneurs in Scotland. "Fusion was built on the triumvirate of the private sector, the public sector and the academic/social enterprise sector. Working together we are stronger. Though people in one sector regularly moan about perceived advantages of those in others, we need one another and achieve most when we pull together in the same direction."

This year's conference aims to reflect this relationship.

"In addition to a good cross section of businesses in terms of size, sector and geographic representation, we will have a good representation from the public sector and enterprise companies, those in the rapidly growing social enterprise sector and in the year UHI finally became a university, from the academic sector," continues Mark.

Open to all those running businesses large or small throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, this year's conference has reverted back to its day and a half day format, giving delegates the option to stay overnight and socialise over dinner and afterwards. It also helps those travelling considerable distances across the Highlands and Islands.

The event as ever, is run in the most co-operative way, with some talks from visiting speakers and 14 break-out sessions run by entrepreneurs from across the area. Break out sessions will cover topics from "Breaking in to the supply chain" to "what the bankers want to hear". A plenary session will be addressed by Mike Neilson, director general of the Scottish Government with responsibility for Enterprise and the Environment. After dinner speaker is Rt Hon Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury and local MP.

Young Enterprise Scotland (Highland and Moray) will be running their annual Dragon's Den event in a parallel session on the Friday morning. Delegates will be able to see winning presentations on the Friday afternoon. Following the success of last year's event these young entrepreneurs who are running limited companies in school (senior school pupils) will have the opportunity to network with delegates at the conference, over lunch on the Friday.

The event runs from 11am (registration) on Thursday 17th November, to lunchtime on Friday 18th. Costs for delegates range from £60 (PLUS VAT) for a half day session on the Friday to £250 for the full 2 days including overnight accommodation and dinner (PLUS VAT).

There are discounts for members of Fusion. You can book online at www.fusionlinking.co.uk

About FUSION
FUSION - LINKING ENTREPRENEURS IN RURAL PARTS OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
Fusion exists to create a more innovative, ambitious and entrepreneurial culture - in a sustainable manner. It does this by bringing together business owners and leaders from rural areas of Scotland, in a variety of informal settings, where they can exchange ideas, share problems and benefit from the experiences of others. This can stimulate innovative ideas which will create and sustain a competitive advantage. Relatively informal events take place all over rural Scotland from Orkney to the Western Isles, from Caithness to the Isle of Skye, as far south as Perth and east to Moray.