ABC Business Club is a local, small businesses to network and discuss business issues in a friendly and relaxed forum. It’s designed not only as a way of making new connections with like minded business owners, but also as a semi support network. We encourage members to discuss issues that affect their business and see if others have experienced similar issues and how they resolved them.

Babesandbriefcase is a networking group for working parents. The website was started by Fiona Smith, a mum to two young children who just found it extremely difficult to juggle work and childen. She decided to start the network for other parents who needed to work but give their best to their children.

The British-American Business Council is the largest transatlantic business network with over 3000 member companies, located in more than 20 commercial centres throughout North America and the UK. The BABC Midlands is one of these Chapters, whose primary goal is to facilitate trade and investment among our international network of businesses. We accomplish this by providing members with access to individuals and information to advance their business goals. Additionally, we provide marketing opportunities, networking, a wide programme of events, business intelligence and membership discounts.

Creative Insight is the most exciting and innovative creative support service in Britain. We can support any individual from the first spark of an idea, to developing their craft, reaching a commercial market and making a sustainable living within their chosen field. The team is totally committed to helping any individual, business start-up, or established company, develop and grow within the creative industries sector.

Creative Networks, managed by the University of Central England’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), has become recognised as the main hub for audio visual and digital media creative industries throughout the Midlands. Creative Networks meetings take place on the last Thursday of each month at TIC, Millennium Point, in central Birmingham from 6pm. They commonly attract a wide-ranging audience of up to 200-strong, who enjoy a programme comprising networking receptions with buffet, formal sessions with industry speakers, and opportunities to pitch projects and ideas.

Culturescape offers innovative services in project management, events and campaigns. We work with you to increase the success of your organisation by developing your strategic plans, your leadership skills and your team. We work closely with our clients to ensure a ‘right first time’ service. We have an individual approach, designing each project to meet your needs and identifying the best mix of activities for your needs. Our expertise in and applied understanding of issues of social responsibility, civic society and regeneration strengthens our work. We have high standards that are reflected in our work and in our values.

Envision was founded in 2000 by four young people. The organisation aimed to challenge the general perception that young people are apathetic and disengaged - unconcerned with the challenges that face Britain and the world in the 21st Century. Envision’s simple model supports young people to develop the skills, awareness, confidence and motivation necessary to lie at the heart of positive change.

Seconds from New Street Station, eOffice is set within Birmingham’s vibrant commercial and retail core. We provide fully serviced and furnished office space which is beautiful yet ergonomic in design. From cleaning to utility bills, to the freshly cut flowers at your desk every week- everything is taken care of with no additional costs. We offer competitively priced office solutions and very flexible terms- ideal for your fast changing business requirements. We also work very hard to maintain a great community feel in all our centres, with regular networking events so you can get to know your neighbours and hopefully benefit from each others skills and knowledge. Our meeting and conference facilties are second to none and will not fail to impress you and your clients, making eOffice Birmingham the ideal place to meet, greet and do business.

Our aim is to enable access to a variety of support services to pre-start, start up and business growth. Our sole purpose is to provide inspiration and support to ordinary women to become “extraordinary”; breakout of their comfort zone and help them access advice and further support to realise their ambition to “do it their way”. Go-Woman! is geared toward providing REAL business support for women. A ‘one-stop’ service that can provide a central support hub, through sign posting and referrals.

Local Shorts Film Club - A Film First service Venue: Library Theatre, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham Bar Opens at 6pm - Films and Q&A from 7pm Free Entry! Showcasing more than 120 short films on the big screen at the Library Theatre over the past year, Local Shorts is a unique film club, screening short films from across the West Midlands. Covering all genres from drama, animation, comedy and documentary to pop videos and experimental films, we are proud to showcase the work by established industry professionals and up and coming newcomers. The screenings include Q&As with filmmakers, cast and crew. More info: www.creativeinsightuk.com E-mail: localshorts@blueyonder.co.uk