The Cornwall Home Show, which took place on 27 and 28 April, was the biggest yet with 43 home, garden and sustainable living businesses exhibiting and more than 1400 people attending during the two days.

The event, which offers inspiration to anyone looking to buy, sell, renovate, decorate or even build a new home, has firmly established itself as a key event in the annual event calendar.  New for this year was a seminar with architect and past contestant of BBC 1’s The Apprentice, Gabrielle Omar. Following her seminar Gabrielle hosted Cornwall’s first Tea With An Architect event.

Commenting on the event, Gabrielle said, "The Cornwall Home Show is a fantastic event. I attend a lot of events like this and it is fair to say that this one is head and shoulders above many.  Not only was the exhibition hall full of interesting stands, everyone was extremely positive, helpful and full of useful advice and hints and tips. I am sure that anyone attending will have enjoyed themselves and left with lots of ideas and local contacts for projects.

"It was great to be able to run Cornwall's first Tea With An Architect at the Cornwall Home Show too. We had lots of people making the most of the free consultations and I am sure that the architects who took part will secure some new business from it."

In partnership with the events media partner, Cornwall Today, the Cornwall Home Show exhibitors were able to enter a new award, the Cornish Design Distinctiveness Award. Five exhibitors were shortlisted for this award and were featured in the magazine. During April, Cornwall Today readers voted for their favourite and Cornwall Today’s editor, Kirstie Newton announced the winner at the exhibitor evening networking event on Saturday 27 April.

Daniel McLaughlin, owner of McLaughlin Furniture and Joinery won the award for his medieval garden reconstruction at Pengersick Castle, Praa Sands. Dan was presented with an engraved glass award and will be featured in a future edition of Cornwall Today.

This year’s event was also the first time that event organisers offered visitors pre-bookable appointments with exhibitors.  This meant that people who had a specific project or idea to discuss could meet with an exhibitor for a free consultation.

Event organiser, Andrew Weaver said, “The Cornwall Home Show 2013 was certainly the biggest and best yet. We had a fantastic spread of businesses exhibiting and we had more visitors attend than in previous years. It was great to bring some new ideas to fruition for this year. Feedback from exhibitors and visitors has been great and I’m already starting to work on plans for the next event.”

As an added extra this year people could pre register to attend for free and entre a draw to win a one night stay at the Wellington Hotel in Boscastle. The winner of this is Mr & Mrs Mitchell from Truro.

Details of the next Cornwall Home Show will be released soon. Keep an eye on www.cornwallhomeshow.co.uk for latest information.

We are pleased to announce that Cornwall Today has revealed the shortlisted entries for the Cornish Distinctiveness Design Award 2013 in the April issue of Cornwall Today, which is out now.

The competition was open for all exhibitors attending the Cornwall Home Show 2013, and the winning entry will be revealed at the Cornwall Home Show on Saturday, April 27.  The winner, who will be selected by Cornwall Today reader votes, will win an award as well as a feature in Cornwall Today Magazine.

Cornwall Today is appealing to readers to cast their vote for the project that they’d like to read more about.

The five exhibitors who have been shortlisted are Absolute Joinery, Cornwall Electricians, McLaughlin Furniture and Joinery, Rezolve and Tor Windows.

To read the entries, to see their wonderful work and cast your vote please pick up a copy of April’s Cornwall Today Magazine and turn to pages 104 & 105.

Work Experience and Paid Positions Available for Cornwall Home Show 2013.

We have several work experience and paid roles available at this year’s Cornwall Home Show 2013, taking place at Kingsley Village, A30 Fraddon on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th April 2013.

If you are interested in any of the below roles please email work@lesw.co.uk stating which position you are interested along with an up to date photo.

Detail of the event can be found at www.cornwallhomeshow.co.uk  

Hospitality Team: 2 x voluntary positions

The team members will be working at the main entrance within the venue to signpost attendees to the main exhibition hall, providing attendees with information about the event when asked and promoting the event to passers-by.

Thursday 25^th or Friday 26^th April:  max 1hr training (time tbc)
Saturday 27^th:  9am – 4.30pm
Sunday 28^th:  9am – 4.30pm   

‘Meet The Expert’  Supervisor: 1 x voluntary position

Responsible position to facilitate the running of the ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions on both Saturday and Sunday of the event. The role includes helping set up the 1 to 1 meeting areas, facilitating attendees meeting experts, managing the session turnaround, ensuring refreshments top ups and the smooth running of the meeting area for two days.

Thursday 25^th or Friday 26^th April:  max 1hr training (time tbc)
Saturday 27^th:  9am – 1pm
Sunday 28^th:  9am – 4.30pm  

Event Goody Bag Preparation:  1 x paid position

This paid position involves packing 1000 event goody bags with marketing materials ready to give away at the event. This role will pay £50 for the below hours.

Thursday 25^th April:  9am – 5.30pm

Car Park Attendant:  2 x paid positions

These paid positions involve directing vehicles to appropriate available parking spaces and designated parking areas within the event site. This role will pay £75 for the below
hours.

Thursday 25^th or Friday 26^th April:  max 1hr training (time tbc)
Saturday 27^th:  8am – 3pm
Sunday 28^th:  9.30am – 4pm 

All chosen volunteers will be required to attend a staff briefing session within on the Thursday or Friday prior to the event. Refreshments will be provided to all staff. Assistance with transport costs and lunch will be provided for volunteers. All voluntary and paid staff will receive a reference upon request from LESW.

On Wednesday 3^rd and Thursday 4^th October the inaugural Cornwall Business Show 2012 took place at Kingsley Village, delivered by Live Events South West and Firegrass Communications. We would like to thank all exhibitors, stakeholders, sponsors, media partners, guest speakers and attendees for making the event such success and exceeding all expectations.

Directors of the show, Andrew Weaver and Shelley Fletcher objectives were to create a dynamic two day business to business exhibition giving businesses from across the county the opportunity to network with likeminded businesses, meet new contacts and suppliers and gain some real benefit from the show seminars and evening networking event.  The event showcased 53 exhibitors which included businesses from web and graphic design to financial services, office supplies, legal support and business networks. Footfall at the event reached well over 850 during the two days.

The Cornwall Business Show 2012 was sponsored by Cornwall Innovation and supported by Pirate FM and the West Briton, both organisers and exhibitors are hailing the event a big success.

Co-Director of the Show, Andrew Weaver said, “We took a big risk when we decided to launch the Cornwall Business Show. Shelley and I have worked extremely hard during the past 12 months to bring our vision of a fully inclusive, dynamic business to business exhibition to life and I am absolutely delighted with the result.  The feedback from exhibitors and visitors has been phenomenal and I am looking forward to fully evaluating all of the feedback and starting to plan an even better event for 2013.”

Shelley Fletcher added, “I’d like to thank everyone who supported this event, our sponsors, partners, exhibitors, speakers and of course all those who visited during the two days. There was a fantastic buzz throughout the event and I hope everyone attending will have made new contacts, met new suppliers and now have the potential to grow their business.”

The Wednesday evening networking event hosted by Tim Bryant offered over 180 people the opportunity to hear from three inspirational speakers, David McGuire from Lungfish, Amanda Barlow from Spiezia Organics and Matthew Thomson, Chief Executive of Fifteen Cornwall whilst exhibitors and attendees received the opportunity to network with each other over a glass of wine and canapés.

During the two day show a variety of free to attend seminars took place from industry experts including Richard Best, Beverley Warne, Tim Bryant, Terry Mullins, David Bone, Bernard Curren, Richard Wadman, Sebastian Beard, and Ben Travers who gave valuable advice for attendees on how best to run a business. Topics covered included leadership, managing capacity, sales, innovation, creating the freedom to sell and how to promote your business.  To view a list of the seminars and speakers please visit the seminar webpage.

Event sponsor and Director of the Innovation Centres, Bernard Curren said, “I think it is fair to say that the Cornwall Business Show has been a resounding success.  Andrew and Shelley have pulled together a vibrant and inspiring event that has brought together a truly diverse range of businesses.”

Shelley added, “We will now take a long hard look at every detail of the event and see how we can make it even better next year. It’s our ambition to make this an annual event and to grow it year on year.”

To find out further information about the Cornwall Business Show 2012 and for details of all the companies that exhibited please visit the website.

If you would like to view the image gallery of Cornwall Business Show 2012 please visit the LESW Facebook page.

If you would like to contact one of the organisers or to express an interest to exhibit next year please email hello@cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk or call 01872 888733.

Businesses interested in exhibiting at the Cornwall Business Show 2012, which is taking place on 3 and 4 October at Kingsley Village, are encouraged to get in touch soon as there are only a few stands available.

Almost 50 stands have been sold for the two day business to business exhibition, which is sponsored by Cornwall Innovation and supported by Pirate FM and West Briton Business.  The remaining stands are expected to sell by the end of the month, making the show a sell out.

Businesses already signed up to exhibit include office furniture and stationery suppliers, online marketing specialists and graphic designers, accountants and legal experts, business networks and support organisations, environmental consultants and IT services and many more. The latest list of confirmed exhibitors can be found at www.cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk.

Designed to be fully inclusive and to offer something for everyone who is in business, the Cornwall Business Show is free to attend for visitors. The two day event will include a number of business and personal development seminars and an evening networking event. There will be opportunities to meet with existing and new contacts and suppliers explore ways in which to grow your business.

Co-Director, Andrew Weaver said, “We’ve been really pleased with the support people have shown towards the event and we are encouraged by the number of stands sold.  It’s great we are down to the final few remaining and also that we have such a diverse spread of businesses already signed up to attend. The event will be the one stop shop for anyone in business.  Whether you’re looking to refresh your brand, develop a website, get legal documents in place, sort out your accounts or just simply to build your network of contacts, the Cornwall Business Show is the place to do it.”

As well as sponsoring the event, Cornwall Innovation, Cornwall’s newest business acceleration facility that comprises of the Pool, Tremough and the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centres, will be exhibiting at the show.

Director of the Innovation Centres, Bernard Curren said, “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this event and it’s great to see so many businesses taking the initiative and booking stands at the show. I have no doubt that anyone exhibiting and those who attend will reap the rewards. In the current climate businesses need to look at new and innovative ways of doing things and the Cornwall Business Show will provide a number of opportunities for businesses to make new contacts and explore ways in which they could grow their businesses.” 

Anyone who isn’t able to exhibit at the show but who would like to have a presence is offered the opportunity to provide an insert for the show goodie bag at a small fee.  Business owners who are interested in finding out more about exhibiting or attending the Cornwall Business Show are encouraged to visit the website, get in touch by email exhbit@cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk or phone 01872 888733.

Are you courageous and motivated to undertake a physical challenge that will make a difference in your community? The search has begun for energised and enthusiastic people either representingt local businesses or as individuals, to sign up and improve the lives of disadvantaged young people from Cornwall, in an effort to raise an excess of £7500. Cornwall Charity Challenge 2012 taking place on Saturday 8^th September, held in a beautiful location in Penryn is home to BF Adventure (BFA), who are a charity known for their work in using outdoor activities to improve the confidence and skills of disadvantaged and disabled young people. This unique one day event, in partnership with LESW, comprises of an exhilarating 2 mile individual race with activities including zip wiring, running, swimming, archery, mental agility, climbing and abseiling and more.

Funds raised will also benefit Carefree, a Cornish charity run by volunteers, which aims to improve the lives of young adults in care, creating positive future opportunities and skills to gain new experiences and employment. Not only will you or your business benefit in supporting worthwhile charities, your business can build on their corporate social responsibility, and have a enjoyable day of networking with other businesses and charities, take part in activities away from the office environment; promote healthy living amongst employees and gain some extra PR.

So are you up for the Challenge? To receive a Welcome Pack and find out how to register for this great event please visit www.lesw.co.uk/charity-challenge and contact LESW on 01872 888733 or email hello@lesw.co.uk

Cornwall’s smartest young entrepreneurs, green conscience companies and brightest new businesses were recognised at the Hub Awards last night (Thursday November 24th) at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay.

The Hub Awards, which has been revamped by LESW since 2008, once again rewarded those business people making a real difference in Cornwall and celebrated the work of companies which have quickly made their mark in the county.

More than 110 guests attended the awards which were sponsored by YTKO, Oxford Innovation and Tremough Innovation Centre.

Jill Stein, the woman behind the internationally renowned brand, The Seafood Restaurant, gave the keynote speech at the ceremony. Jill shared her experiences of running the hugely successful Seafood Restaurant in Padstow during what was one of her first public speaking appointments

A panel of judges from across Cornwall’s business community came together to interview shortlisted candidates and later select the winners for each category.

Scooping the title of Employee of the Year was 26 year-old Becky Palmer. The judges were impressed by Becky’s beyond the call of duty approach as an employee for Hayle-based, Sapience HR. As Office Manager, Becky is often required to be the first point of contact for clients, but Becky went much further and in a little over 12 months introduced and implemented new systems and procedures and overhauled the company’s marketing strategy that enabled the business to provide valuable  new services to their rapidly expanding client base.

This year’s Green Business of the Year award was handed to Redruth-based Piran Technologies. The judges commented upon how successful Piran Technologies had been at challenging the traditional accepted thinking of energy efficiency within the IT facilities sector both within, and most significantly outside of, their company.

27-year old Dan Parker scooped the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Since setting up SMS marketing company, FireText, in September 2010, the business has in a short period of time grown considerably and won a number of significant contracts. Judges commented on how infectious Dan’s enthusiasm and passion was for doing business and how he would be firm member of Cornwall’s business community well into the future.

The Best Business Start Up award was won by Blackwater-based Cornwall Solar Panels. The judges were impressed at how quickly the founder, Tony Sampson, had been able to establish the company in the county having only set it up in November 2010. The business now employees ten people across two companies and is taking on an Unlocking Cornish Potential in January.

A special Hub Contributor of the Year Award was given to Anna Penrose from Mail Away. Anna was not only recognised as being a regular Hub attendee over the past year but for also playing her part in helping welcome new members.

As part of the event, guests also watched a video about doing business in the county and what the future holds for Cornwall. The short film, which features an array of Cornish business people, was produced by The Motion Farm. 

Visit www.cornwallhub.co.uk for more information.

The LESW Charity Skydive Challenge 2011 kicked off on the 21^st of September, four out of the eight brave participants managed to complete the 10,000ft tandem Skydive. Raising £3100 for the Cornwall Community Foundation, Due to strong winds the reaming four will complete the challenge on the morning of 14^th October. Extra donations are expected to come in and total around £3500.

 If you want to know more or sponsor the volunteers then please visit our dedicated challenge webpage.

The LESW Charity Skydive Challenge, now in its 2^nd year, is shaping up to be another great Corporate Social Responsibility event supporting our local community.

LESW have pulled together 9 brave volunteers to take the daring 10,000 ft tandem skydive on behalf of 3 great charities here in Cornwall on Wednesday 21^st September 2011. All volunteers are employees from the local business community and their individual profiles can been seen on the dedicated challenge webpage.

The Team hope to raise around £3000 for our chosen charities and this year sees Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) being selected. CCF and LESW have further chosen to distribute a large proportion to help two specific projects; the Cornwall Befriending Scheme, which supports young carers who care for parents with long term illnesses or disabilities, and Carefree Fostering Independence Cornwall which is a voluntary organisation helping young people in care to provide them with vital support and a range of activities.

On the day a spectator area with light entertainment and catering facilities will be available so family, friends, colleagues and anyone who is keen to support can see the brave team in action, along with the chance to meet the charities and the great people behind them!

Please do take the time to visit the LESW Charity Skydive Challenge 2011 website for more information, to meet the team and if you’re feeling generous to make a donation.

Thank you

The first Cornwall Home Show, which took place on 31 April and 1 May at Kingsley Village, attracted more than 1,000 people who visited the show to meet with specialist home and garden design businesses from across the county.

The event, which was organised and managed by Live Events South West,  showcased almost 40 of Cornwall’s very best home interior and garden design experts as well as environmental and sustainable living businesses, all under one roof for just two days. 

This, the first and only dedicate Home Show in Cornwall, included exhibitors from right across the county.  Visitors were able to browse around the exhibition and meet the experts, get questions answered by the right people, take advantage of special show offers and also attend a range of free seminars which ran throughout the day over both days. These covered interior design inspirations, integrating renewable energy into the home, building your own eco home and design features for the garden.

Visitors were spoilt for choice with specialists from kitchens, bespoke furniture, interior design, soft furnishings, spas and swimming pools, bedrooms, bathrooms and renewable energy businesses all in attendance.

Andrew Weaver, Owner of Live Events South West says, “This show has been developed over the past two years and I am thrilled with how well everything went.  All of our exhibitors reported strong leads from visitors to the show and I am delighted so many people came along over the two days.

Ali Hodges of Source Energy Ltd exhibited at the show she said, “It was an excellent show.  We received more quality leads from this two day event than any other events in Cornwall in the last year.”

Andrew continued “As this event proved so successful I am already planning future events and can confirm that the Cornwall Home Show will become a regular fixture in Cornwall’s event calendar. Both the public and businesses benefited greatly from attending the show so I will be announcing plans for the next show soon.”

Pictures from the show and details for future events will be shortly uploaded to www.cornwallhomeshow.co.uk

Those interested in exhibiting at next year’s show should contact LESW via the Cornwall Home Show website.