Guest speakers, panel discussions and networking sessions brought the region’s firms together at Love Business Expo 2025 on 6th February at Holywell Conference Centre in Loughborough.
East Midlands Chamber was the 2025 headline sponsor for the exhibition and networking event, which was hosted by EMA Training. Guest speakers included innovator Tom Willday of Willsow, which makes plantable books and podcaster ‘The Disruptive Entrepreneur’ Rob Moore from Progressive Property.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore chaired a talk on technology, future skills and AI. Afterwards he said: “Looking at how businesses are preparing for and embracing new technology like AI, sharing best practice, exploring the potential of technology, as well as any challenges, is a conversation that’s essential in 2025. These discussions really light the touch paper and springboard innovative ways of thinking. That’s so important when technology evolves at such staggering speed. Love Business Expo 2025 has been an opportunity to bring sectors together to share insight, experience and ideas.”
East Midlands Chamber President and SMB College Group Principal Dawn Whitemore was on a panel looking at future skills and technology. Afterwards she said: “Technology like AI releases staff to be more innovative, more creative. You fill any void with positive elements to improve productivity and what you do.
“Getting businesses and educators together at events like this is essential, as we don’t do enough talking. It’s not just about getting people together; it’s about making sure the conversation goes the right way and is impactful. For me, that is essential.”
NetMonkeys Managing Director Nick Gall was a panelist in a discussion on AI uptake. Afterwards he said:
“The adoption of AI will be high. If you go up against somebody in a job interview, and one person is super switched-on with AI and its tools but you’re not, then it could hinder you. Being aware of the AI skills that are needed is an opportunity.”
EMA Training managed and hosted Love Business Expo. Regional Director Gemma Orton said: “Highlights this year of Love Business Expo have been the number of relationships being built throughout the day and new relationships beginning. We bring together Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and that’s really special. We put on this Expo once a year and I think because of the time of year, everybody’s ready to get back to networking.”
ER Recruitment was the Speaker Theatre sponsor. Business and Marketing Manager Scarlett Canavan said: “Love Business Expo has been all about positivity and celebrating what businesses are actually doing. We heard from three sets of speakers, each sharing their take on the challenges facing business, as well as what to celebrate. It’s really important that we come together to showcase that.”
