Staffordshire, May 2024 — Connects Network, a community-driven initiative led by local business owners, proudly marks more than ten years of fostering lasting connections within Staffordshire. With a focus on highlighting the many positive aspects of our community, Connects Network is helping to reshape the narrative of business in the local area.
On April 4, 2024, Connects Network unveiled its second monthly meeting, supported in part by the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District. Held at The Regent Theatre in Hanley, this exciting event offers businesses and organizations an additional opportunity to network, access resources, and discover untapped possibilities.
Predominantly based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, a second monthly Connects Network meeting in Stoke will act as a bridge between the centre, fostering a robust support network for local businesses.
To highlight these positive aspects, each month, Connects Network meetings feature guest speakers with ‘good news’ stories and/or important information for attendees. Over the past decade, Connects has hosted over 100 speakers and toured nearly 20 venues since the end of the 2021 lockdown.
Pete Herbert co-founder said “it’s been an amazing experience running this meeting with a brilliant team of local business leaders, seeing connections made, supporting each other in their business ventures. The guest speaker section is a favourite with most, highlighting positive initiatives in our community.
More Information about Connects
Connects is a not-for-profit, relaxed, and informal networking opportunity that aims to bring people together and promote the many positive aspects of local community in Staffordshire.
We promote a relaxed, informal meeting environment with no pressure to pass referrals. We know this will happen anyway as you get to know the other people who regularly attend our meetings.
There has never been an annual fee to attend our meetings and there is no cost to attend a session thanks to support from the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID teams.
We aim to have guest speakers with ‘good news’ stories and/or important information for our attendees. One of our aims in setting up the group was to help change the narrative of doing business in the area by allowing an opportunity for small business to network in an informal relaxed setting.