The successes of Kent and Medway’s local independent food and drink sector in adapting to Covid-19 will be the foundation of a collaborative workshop for business at the Kent and Medway Business Summit 2021.
Finding new ways of working, new customers and suppliers were all part of the many challenges that the pandemic brought to businesses. Yet they stepped up to overcome these challenges says CEO of Produced in Kent, Floortje Hoette.
She commented: “A thriving, local, independent food and drink sector is the foundation for an attractive, happy, healthy and sustainable Kent: it supports the local economy, keeps a great portion of our residents in work, shapes the county’s distinct countryside and attracts visitors, new residents, businesses, students and investors.
In the past months, the industry has shown itself to be innovative, dynamic and resilient. Local food and drink businesses stepped up during the pandemic – selling, delivering and serving Kent residents. Local retail replaced the weekly supermarket shop, producers who lost their on-trade with the hospitality sector started selling directly to customers, pubs and restaurants ventured out into takeaway services and home deliveries.”
Taking place on Friday 15 January 2021, the Kent and Medway Business Summit will bring together more than 400 businesses, decision-makers and academics.
Using the cutting-edge virtual conference platform, Remo, the Summit will have key updates from experts from the Bank of England briefing on the latest economic picture.
There will also be updates for business with regards to Europe and changes to the business landscape in the context of Covid-19.
In collaborative workshops, businesses can have their say on topics including productivity, skills, infrastructure and placemaking.
There will be a chance for businesses to network and share experiences in a Summit like no other before.
Workshop topics:
- Necessity is the mother of invention: Innovation and productivity in Kent and Medway’s local independent food and drink sector.
- A green economy: How Kent and Medway can seize the opportunity of the de-centralisation of commuters travelling to London and create a green, sustainable economy for the region.
- New collar jobs: The opportunities and changes needed to build a regional workforce with the skills to be a part of the region’s digital, creative and cultural industries.
- Placemaking for Kent and Medway: How we can shape our future high streets.
Tickets for the Kent and Medway Business Summit cost £10, places are strictly limited to 400.