Now in its fourth consecutive year, Worcestershire LEP Annual Conference 2014 was entitled World Class Worcestershire and attracted over 300 delegates at the Regent Centre of the Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa. As part of an internationally themed programme, the conference highlighted the importance of partnership working, innovation, foreign collaborations, exporting, inward investment and the need for business people to believe, invest and grow in Worcestershire. World Class Worcestershire featured contributions from Jaguar Land Rover, Joy Global, UKTI, Postcode Anywhere and Worcestershire County Council.

Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, called on businesses to hail Worcestershire’s cultural heritage as the way to drive up the country’s economy, message echoed by key representatives of the British Wheelchair Basketball Association, Worcestershire Repertory Company, West Midland Safari Park, Destination Worcestershire and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

The half day event, which culminated in a networking lunch, was expertly hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenter, Mary Rhodes, and featured two interactive interview sessions, live voting, an extensive exhibition with networking opportunities, live Tweeter feed and specially commissioned videos from overseas business representatives. As an additional innovative element, the conference was graphically recorded live by graphic artist Laura Brodrick of Think Big Picture who created a 2x1 m ‘Big Picture’ during the event, capturing themes, narratives and quotes in a colourful and eye-catching way.