Shropshire’s biggest business-to-business event will return for its fifth year in March, with organisers promising a refreshed format designed to get the county’s business community talking.

Shropshire Business Festival will take place at Telford International Centre on Thursday, March 11th, 2027, bringing together more than 800 business owners, leaders and professionals for an afternoon of networking, workshops and activities.

The free event, organised by Shropshire Festivals, takes a different approach to traditional business networking, creating a relaxed environment where conversations and new connections can happen naturally.

For 2027, organisers are shaking up the format further. The previous Seminar Stage will be replaced by two new workshop areas, alongside the existing marketing workshop space.

The change will allow several sessions to run across the afternoon, covering different areas of business and offering more practical content for attendees. Topics could range from the challenges facing small businesses to coaching and leadership sessions for CEOs and senior managers.

Beth Heath, Director of Fun at Shropshire Festivals, said, “We’ve never wanted Shropshire Business Festival to feel like a traditional networking event. Nobody wants to spend an afternoon being talked at or awkwardly swapping business cards with people they never want to call.

“The whole idea is to make it easier to have meaningful conversations. We add plenty of fun and give people reasons to get talking, but ultimately it’s about helping businesses meet people they could genuinely work with.

“This will be our fifth Shropshire Business Festival, and it’s brilliant to see how it has grown. More than 800 people joined us last year and, for 2027, we want to give them even more reasons to come along. We know businesses are looking for new customers, ideas and opportunities, and we want to create an afternoon where all three can happen.”

Around 60 businesses from across Shropshire and the wider West Midlands are expected to exhibit, allowing visitors to discover new suppliers, services and potential partners.

A dedicated networking area will also provide a space for professionals to meet and develop new leads throughout the afternoon.

For exhibitors and sponsors, the festival offers an opportunity to put their businesses directly in front of hundreds of decision-makers, with stands designed to encourage conversation rather than simply handing out leaflets. Stands and sponsorship spaces sold out last year.

Stand applications are now open, while businesses and professionals can also secure their free visitor tickets.

Shropshire Business Festival takes place from 1pm to 6pm at Telford International Centre on Thursday, March 11th, 2027.

Tickets and stand applications are available at www.shropshirebusinessfestival.co.uk.