Events
Creative children wowed judges with their colourful and imaginative entries to the Express & Star’s Design an Ad competition.
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Events
Businesses are being offered a unique opportunity to receive a bespoke digital marketing masterclass in Wolverhampton next month.
Events
Black Country businesses are being given the chance to boost their online presence in the latest in a series of free digital workshops.
The scheme is being delivered by experienced and knowledgeable experts from the Midland News Association’s online operation, MNA Digital.
The programme has been created in response to a demand from small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to more fully understand how they can use digital techniques to their advantage.
The next event, which follows a successful workshop held last month in Shropshire, will run from 9 am on Thursday, 27th June, at Wolverhampton’s Casino 36 and is free for any business looking to attend.
Previous workshops run by MNA Digital have covered topics including managing reputation, optimising websites, and measuring business conversion.
The latest event will be lead by Matthew Fowell, head of PPC at MNA Digital, and will focus on pay per click (PPC) internet advertising via paid search engine result placings which can drive traffic to a business website.
Delegates will be given the chance to network, ask for expert advice, and hear more about maximising website content, conversion rates and paid search. A hot buffet breakfast will also be on offer.
Andy Hill, MD of MNA Digital, said it was increasingly important for businesses to have an effective marketing strategy and online presence.
“Search engine advertising is the most popular form of PPC and it allows you to bid for ad placement in a search engine’s sponsored links section.
“When PPC is done correctly it’s a cost-effective way of generating leads and sales for your business.
“In today’s fast paced world if a company does not have a strong website or the skills to use it effectively it will get left behind.
“These workshops have been created to meet a demand from smaller independent businesses across Wolverhampton, the Black Country, and Shropshire.
“The MNA Digital team has a wealth of knowledge from working with clients and partners across all industries.
“We have covered subjects including reputation management, optimising websites and measuring business.
“By sharing our skills with smaller organisations, we intend to help them grow their revenue which will ultimately have a positive impact on the local economy. People leave our workshops with skills and knowledge they can utilise and implement in their own offices,” he added.
For more details and to reserve a place on the workshop contact Natalie Coughlan on 01902 319 292, email natalie@mnadigital.co.uk or visit mnadigital.co.uk for the latest event news.
Events
Housebuilder Cameron Homes landed the top award at last night’s glittering Express & Star Business Awards 2019.
Brierley Hill business Homeserve Furniture Repairs also enjoyed double awards success at the awards dinner in the EBC Suite at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Awards host Johnny Phillips, the Sky Sports presenter, announced Chasetown-based Cameron Homes as the winners of the overall Business of the Year award, sponsored by the Express & Star itself.
Midland News Association print managing director Graeme Clifford presented the trophy to the jubilant Cameron Homes team.
Judges said it was a successful housebuilder which has retained its family ethic whilst improving turnover and profitability significantly year on year with its team demonstrating exceptional customer service.
Wolves fan Johnny had opened the evening telling the guest at the sell-out event: “After such a fantastic season for Nuno and the boys which has resulted in the return of European football to the city, it is great to welcome you to a celebration of the best of the region’s business sector.
“And that invitation even extends to the Albion fans among you this evening. Good luck in the Championship next season.”
He said to even have been shortlisted in the tough business competition was a fantastic achievement.
Three awards were presented before dinner with the first winner Black Vets, of Dudley, who received the Best Place to Work award from Greg Reed from the category sponsor HomeServe.
Judges said Blacks Vets in Dudley was an excellent example of how an organisation has implemented programmes to support colleagues’ careers and mental wellbeing as they care for animals and their owners.
Best Use of Technology went to Homeserve Furniture Repairs, which has grown rapidly over the last five years and had developed its own customer relationship management system, with the presentation made on behalf of sponsors Altodigital by MNA director Chris Leggett.
Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Crowe, went to Rowley Regis funeral directors F P Gaunt & Sons, which has been in business since 1900.
Judges were impressed with how it had identified new opportunities and was providing a separate low-cost funeral service.
Following dinner the Excellence in Customer Service category was won by Wolverhampton-based Marston’s Beer Company with Indi and Jasbir Wouhra from sponsor East End Foods making the presentation.
The judges were enthused by Marston’s Beer Company’s exceptional care, thought and dedication, which is offered to every customer.
Finalists Wealth Design Group, of Cannock, were highly commended for their entry.
Young Business of the Year went to Savesta Construction, of Wolverhampton, with Henry Carver and Neil Kendrick from sponsors Carvers Building Supplies, a long-time supporter of the awards, presenting the trophy.
Savesta was set up quickly following the fall of Carillion after founder Samuel Hudman recognised the demand and opportunity to become a well-run construction main contractor.
Smethwick’s A&M EDM was winner of the Manufacturing Champion category and James Holland from sponsor Collins Aerospace made the presentation
Judges praised the company policy on recycling materials and waste and its strong focus on environmental responsibility.
Tim Johnson, managing director of the City of Wolverhampton Council, which sponsored Micro Business of the Year, handed over the trophy to city firm Huxton Resourcing. The specialist recruiter’s amazing dedication to its work and professionalism impressed the judges.
The Business Person of the Year award was won by Melvin Sinar, managing director of Dudley-based Petford Group with Richard Westwood from category sponsor Marston’s handing him the trophy.
Mr Sinar has overseen the large growth of Petford Group, mostly due to his relentless drive and determination.
Judges said his desire to stay ahead of competitors was evident in the bold decisions he had made.
Homeserve Furniture Repairs’ second award of the night was as Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year. Richard Griffiths and Kathryn Small from law firm Higgs & Sons, who sponsored the category, made the presentation.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre sponsored the drinks reception at the start of the evening which was put on by production company and associate sponsor Yarrington. Star Public Relations, the racecourse and the theatre were also associate sponsors.
The evening was also raising funds for The Way Youth Zone, based in Wolverhampton.
- See the picture gallery on expressandstar.com and in a Business special in Tuesday’s E&S.
The winners and finalists
Best Place to Work sponsored by HomeServe
Winner: Blacks Vets
Finalists: The Kaleidoscope Plus Group and whg
Best Use of Technology sponsored by Altodigital
Winner: Homeserve Furniture Repairs
Finalists: Coinadrink and Rotronics Battery Management Solutions
Family Business of the Year sponsored by Crowe
Winner: F P Gaunt & Sons
Finalists: Diamond Fire & Security and RB Windows, Doors and Conservatories
Excellence in Customer Service sponsored by
East End Foods
Winner: Marston’s Beer Company
Finalists: Nant and Wealth Design Group
Young Business of the Year sponsored by Carvers
Building Supplies
Winner: Savesta Construction
Finalists: Jet Express, Silvaman Group and SMART Ballustrades
Manufacturing Champion sponsored by
Collins Aerospace
Winner: A&M EDM
Finalists: CS Labels, Somers Forge and MJ Sections
Micro Business of the Year sponsored by City of
Wolverhampton Council
Winner: Huxton Resourcing
Finalists: Hayden Kilkelly Independent Financial Advisors and Johnson
Design Partnership
Business Person of the Year sponsored by Marston’s
Winner: Melvin Sinar, Petford Group
Finalists: Neil Lloyd, FBC Manby Bowdler, and Greg Reed, HomeServe UK
Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year sponsored by Higgs & Sons
Winner: Homeserve Furniture Repairs
Finalists: Midwest Motor Factors, In-Comm Training and Rotech Laboratories
Business of the Year sponsored by Express & Star
Winner: Cameron Homes
Finalists: Handicare Accessibility and MAHLE Aftermarket
Events
The most beautiful babies and cutest toddlers in Telford came out to take part in a competition.
The Baby and Toddler of the Year competition, run by the Shropshire Star, launched earlier this month, and parents from around the county have been putting forward their youngsters for the coveted title.
The free photography sessions have been taking place at Telford Shopping Centre since Monday, and our professional photographers will be in Dean Square, near Primark, until next Wednesday.
Entry is free and open to parents and guardians within the Shropshire Star circulation area with a child aged five or under.
Sessions will run from 9.30am until 4.30pm every day, except Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, when they will run from 10.30pm until 4 pm.
The children will be split into four age categories – 0-9 months, 10-18 months, 19-35 months and 3-5 years.
There will be a £500 prize for the winner in each category and a further £250 for the overall winner with the most votes.
The photographs will be featured in the Shropshire Star on Thursday, June 27 and on our website.
Visit baby.shropshirestar.com for more information
Events
The Star Employment Services team were out in force to engage with businesses at a leading local showcase exhibition.
Recruitment sales executive Gemma Merrick and resourcer Rebekah Rowley attended the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Expo which attracted more than 200 visitors to GTG in Willenhall.
They handed out brochures and promotional material to promote the MNA’s recruitment offer at the event on Wednesday.
The expo showcased more than 50 chamber members this year and formed part of the second Black Country Business Festival.
There was plenty of networking going on as businesses made new contacts at the four-hour event.
‘Laurel and Hardy’ turned up to support the expo and promote the Funny Things Comedy Festival being run by exhibitors Creative Black Country from October 26 to November 2.
They also had caricaturist Pen Jones on hand to sketch those attending and invited people to submit jokes.
The expo had a special area to encourage Black Country firms to get involved in bidding for work on the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The festival ends on Friday (24) with the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley hosting the closing celebration from 12 noon.
Events, News
Delegates taking part in one of the Black Country Business Festival events found themselves under pressure in an Escape Room at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
The theatre teamed up with Star Public Relations to stage the event, where attendees were plunged into a scenario, which saw them dealing with a crisis at a fictional company.
The session, held on Friday, involved guests working through a communications challenge set by the MNA’s public relations agency.
Partnering with the Star PR experts, they were put on the spot to think of responses to media enquiries as a damaging story broke.
As a unique memento of the day, they received a framed front page of their story, produced in real time at the MNA head office and including a photo of the delegates taken upon arrival.
PR consultant Cathy Dobbs, from Star PR, said: “We came up with the idea for Grand Star Hinges – a bogus manufacturing company based in Wolverhampton, that was suddenly dealing with a crisis.
“Attendees were able to experience what pressure they would be under if a crisis did strike at their company, and they had to work quickly to draft statements for the press, employees and for their customers.”
Grand Theatre development manager Charlotte Davies added: “Delegates went away with tips and advice on crisis communications and we have had some fantastic feedback.
“They enjoyed the chance to participate and get involved – it is something we will definitely look at staging again.”
One of those who took on the challenge was Helen Nuttall, business development manager at Penny Post Credit Union, and she said it was an exciting and interactive session.
Helen said: “I thought it was a fantastic experience that was also thought provoking. By making it interactive I ended up working, and talking with people that I wouldn’t normally approach at a networking event. To have a souvenir front page from the Express & Star is wonderful – it will be going on my desk at work.”
Also, at the event was Paul Hull, director of KMB Shipping, who said: “It was an invaluable experience and a great insight into crisis communications. There has been nothing else like the Escape Room, and we will be implementing some of the advice into the workplace.”
Sam Bright, digital communications co-ordinator at Midlands Air Ambulance, said the event was very useful. “It was great how interactive the event was and it really made me think about what to say in the statements. One thing I will take away from it is that during a crisis you just need to have a small team of people, to ensure that the sign-off of statements happens quickly.”
The event was staged by the Star PR team as part of the Black Country Business Festival, the annual celebration organised in partnership with the Express & Star.
Events, News
The search continues for Shropshire’s most beautiful babies and cutest toddlers.
The Shropshire Star launched its Baby and Toddler of the Year competition last week and parents flocked to Shrewsbury to see if their baby had what it takes.
Kelly Baker brought along her 10-month-old twins, Olivia and Arianna, as well as her two-year-old son Connor to be photographed at the Darwin Shopping Centre.
She said: “I’ve never entered before and I’d come into town to do some shopping with my mum and thought why not.
“I know I am biased but they are very cute and Olivia has a really cheeky smile so I think we’ve got a good chance.”
Entry is free and open to parents and guardians within the Shropshire Star circulation area with a child aged five or under.
A photographer will be on the bottom floor of the shopping centre, opposite QVC, every day until Saturday, May 18, apart from May 12. Sessions will run from 9.30am until 4.30pm.
They will also be at Telford Shopping Centre from Monday, May 20 to Wednesday, May 29, between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Sessions on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27 will be at a slightly different time of 10.30am until 4pm. Parents can bring their children to be photographed and will then be invited back to choose their best picture.
The children will be split into four age categories – 0-9 months, 10-18 months, 19-35 months and 3-5 years.
There will be a £500 prize for the winner in each category and a further £250 for the overall winner with the most votes.
The photographs will be featured in the Shropshire Star on Thursday, June 27 and on our website.
Once you’ve picked your favourite, cut out the special vote tokens which will be printed each day in the Shropshire Star until Saturday, July 27 and complete a Voting Tokens Return Form.
The deadline for returning tokens is Friday, August 2 and the
winners will be announced later that month. For further information about entering, go to baby.shropshirestar.com
Events
Express & Star and Shropshire Star readers pose for a photograph before departing from Wolverhampton for a sponsored cruise to the Mediterranean in 1976.
They travelled by coach to Southampton, where they joined the Oriana, the 42,000 ton P&O liner.
During the cruise, they had the opportunity of visiting Monte Carlo, Capri, Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompand Santiago de Competela.
To see hundreds of pictures from the Photographic Collection visit photo-archive.expressandstar.co.uk
Events, News
Is your pet picture purr-fect? From cute kittens and top dogs to floppy-eared rabbits and furry guinea pigs – we want to see your creature companions wow the camera.
The Express & Star is launching a new competition, inviting pet owners to submit their favourite picture of their pet to be in with a chance of walking away with up to £500 in prize money.
We have long been a nation of pet lovers and everyone knows that animals really do make a real difference to our lives.
To celebrate our special bond with our pets we want to see your best photos – or Pawtraits – of the animals that are part of your family.
They can be easily uploaded online and all pets are welcome – no matter how small, furry or funny!
Photos of your pets will feature in a supplement in the Express & Star on Wednesday, June 5.
From there you will have the opportunity to vote for the pet that you think has the perfect portrait by sending in voting tokens, which will be printed in the Express & Star daily from Wednesday, June 5 until Saturday, June 22.
The overall winner of the competition will secure the coveted title of the Express & Star’s most popular Pawtrait Pet of the year as well as £500 in prize money.
So, get your cameras at the ready and get snapping!
Rob Kelly, head of circulation, said: “The Express & Star is launching a fantastic new competition called Pawtrait Pets focusing on our readers’ love of pets. We want to see your favourite photograph of your pet.
“This is the first time we have carried out a pet competition and we know that our readers will love to see all these fantastic photos which will appear in a special supplement in the Express & Star on Wednesday, June 5. We are expecting a great response from this competition and cash prizes will be up for grabs for the first, second and third placed pets, after readers have voted for their favourite.
“Please read the terms and conditions of the competition and ensure that the photo you send in is of good quality so it reproduces well within the supplement.”
* For details go to www.expressandstar.com/pawtraitpets