Latest Group News

Thursday, 15 April 2010 00:00

See below for Press Releases and photo shoot details

Southend Breakfast Group has a new venue

Romford Breakfast Group has a new Group Director

Thurrock Breakfast Group has a new Group Director

Basildon Breakfast Group has a new Group Director

Women's Coffee Morning Event has a new venue

 

All EBN Groups were involved in helping to organise and promote the Heroes Charity Ball on 10th April 2010.   See below for Press Releases on this event.

Press Releases

Thursday, 15 April 2010 00:00

15 April 2010

Press Release and Photo Shoot Opportunity

£9,000 raised for soldiers’ charity, thanks to Essex businesses

At a highly successful charity ball at Orsett Hall Hotel on Saturday 10 April, just over £9,000 was raised for Help for Heroes.  Businesses throughout the county contributed to the success of the event, which was hosted by Essex Business Network (EBN).

During and following a tasty three-course meal, 350 guests at the event were entertained by magicians, singers Amber Van Day and Tiger Lilly, comedian Jed Stone and popular local band Abbey Rogues.

A number of celebrities also gave their time in order to help make the evening truly memorable: Amber’s Dad, David Van Day; Shane Richie; actors Lucy Benjamin and Billy Murray; Sue Moxley, Beauty Editor with The Sun newspaper; and BBC Essex presenter Sadie Nine.

Steve Trister did a superb job of running a star raffle and charity auction, which attracted generous bids from the guests.  The 18 items auctioned included a set of CDs signed by Sir Cliff Richard, spa packages, an Arsenal football signed by the players and holiday accommodation in Florida.  Many of the auctioned items  were kindly donated by EBN members.

EBN founder, and former sniper in the Army, Steve Parker said: “It was a fantastic occasion and I am so pleased that Essex Business Network was able to support Help for Heroes in this way.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about EBN, or wishing to make a donation to be passed on to the charity, should visit the EBN website or contact Steve.

Editors’ Notes

Contact:
Steve Parker, Essex Business Network;
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; telephone: 07712 529 973

Photographs: Pictures taken at the event are on the EBN website; copies at a higher resolution can be supplied on request.  There is also a photo shoot opportunity on Wednesday 21 April (see below).

About Essex Business Network:

Essex Business Network is a not-for-profit, no gimmicks organisation that values all its members as equal dedicated networkers.  Morning and evening informal networking events are held in locations throughout Essex.
Website: http://www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk .

About Help for Heroes:

Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
Website: http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk .

The lady who organised the event on behalf of Essex Business Network (Dorothea Jacobs) and BBC Essex Presenter Sadie Nine can be photographed passing a (large-sized) cheque to the Help for Heroes County Organiser for Essex (Marianne West).  Please ring Dorothea, on 07821 570179, to arrange.

25 March 2010

Local businesses join together to help injured soldiers

In a joint initiative, organised by Essex Business Network, businesses in the county are raising funds for the Help for Heroes charity.  It is hoped that at least £10,000 can be raised for this worthy cause by holding a prestigious charity ball at Orsett Hall Hotel on Saturday 10 April.

Following many months of planning, everything is coming together to make this ‘black tie’ / lounge suit event an evening to remember.  The event, which is open to the public to attend (tickets cost £35 each), will include a three-course meal, entertainment from a live band (Abbey Rogues), celebrity guest appearances, a charity auction and a raffle.

OK magazine celebrity photographer Graham Reading is kindly donating his time to attend, as a number of celebrities are due to be at the event, including: David Van Day; Sue Moxley, The Sun's beauty editor; singer Tiger Lilly, whose debut album, ‘Reflections’, is about to be released; comedian Jed Stone; Lucy Benjamin, probably best known for her role as Lisa Fowler in EastEnders from 1998 to 2003; and actor Billy Murray, who was DS Don Beech in the 'The Bill' from 1995 to 2000.  Each one of them is also giving his/her time without charge, to allow the charity to obtain maximum financial benefit from the event. For the same reason, Essex Business Network (EBN) is claiming nothing for organising the ball; in fact, many of its members have contributed donations to help cover those expenses that have been incurred.

Auction items received so far include a CD boxed set signed by Sir Cliff Richard, performance car driving experiences, a day of trout fishing for two and spa packages.

EBN founder and former soldier Steve Parker said: “I know only too well the pain and suffering from being in a conflict and am proud to support Help for Heroes.”

It was EBN member Dorothea Jacobs, owner of Daylight Upholstery in Basildon, who came up with the idea.  She added: “We, as a nation, need to help injured soldiers get back to civilization and, maybe, back out there again to fight.”

A ticket ordering form can be downloaded from the EBN website, or by contacting Steve or Dorothea, who will also welcome additional auction items and raffle prizes.

End

Editors’ Notes

Contacts:
Steve Parker, Essex Business Network;
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; telephone: 07712 529 973

Dorothea Jacobs, Daylight Upholstery;
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; telephone: 07821 570179

Venue: Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, Essex. RM16 3HS

Photographs: Pictures of the celebrities attending can be supplied on request.

About Essex Business Network:

Essex Business Network is a not-for-profit, no gimmicks organisation that values all its members as equal dedicated networkers.  Morning and evening informal networking events are held in locations throughout Essex.
Website: http://www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk .

About Help for Heroes:

Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
Website: http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk .
 

Press Release - August 2009

Recession? What recession?

Merger of two networking organisations helps Essex businesses ‘buck the trend’

Businesses in Essex are being given the opportunity to overcome the effects of recession by the merger of two established and effective networking organisations.  Three-year-old Essex Business Network has merged with ‘Social Networking for Business’, which has been operated by T1 Promotions for the past year. 

This means that the enlarged not-for-profit organisation, which will continue to operate as Essex Business Network, can offer the owner/manager of an expanding business regular, informal networking events to attend throughout Essex; breakfast, evening and occasional lunchtime meetings are arranged by enthusiastic regional Group Directors, who are running businesses themselves.

Yes, Essex Business Network now has a great team in place and the expansion programme is well underway. Weekly/monthly events are already held in Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Billericay, Thurrock, Hatfield Heath and Colchester.  Plans are now being developed to introduce networking events at other venues in Essex.

Founder of Essex Business Network Steve Parker and the owner of T1 Promotions, John Northwood, are excited about being able to help more businesses beat the recession and increase trade for a more prosperous future. “Essex Business Network is about connecting you to the business community. By offering quality informal events, it helps business owners build relationships and help develop their business through people they know and trust”, says John.

Regular attendee Bryan Jones, owner of Beacon Business Coaching, adds: “The meeting format of Essex Business Network is very successful. The business approach, but relaxed atmosphere, has led to significant interest in the activities of the participating companies and resulted in increased business.”

Despite the fact that the price of all Essex Business Network events is kept to an affordable level, the owners of these networking groups are pleased to be able to use financial surpluses to support charities such as the well known Essex hospice charity Fair Havens and Little Havens children’s hospice. Community Fundraiser for Havens Hospices Angela Clements says: “It is fantastic that the Essex Business Network has chosen Havens Hospices as its Charity.  It is very encouraging to know that local businesses are so enthusiastic in support of the services offered by Havens Hospices to its local community.”

Anyone interested in sharing in the success of Essex Business Network should visit the organisation’s website – http://www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk – or contact the organisers by telephone/email.  Steve and John would also like to hear from anyone interested in doing a guest speaker presentation or a company that would like to sponsor an event.

Editor’s Notes

Three levels of membership (Associate, Executive and Premier) are offered (starting at only £45 per year) which provide many benefits, but business people are encouraged to ‘try before they buy’, by attending a few meetings before making a decision on becoming a member. There is a cover charge of only £10 for the morning meetings, which include breakfast, or £15 for the evening and lunchtime events, where a buffet is provided.

A photograph is available which was taken by the Essex Regional Organiser of the Federation of Small Businesses at a recent Essex Business Network breakfast meeting in Chelmsford.

Contacts:

Steve Parker – tel: 01268 418 715; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

John Northwood – tel: 07971 401499; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it