The MENTA Connective: Connecting for Growth

The West Suffolk Business Festival Launch Event and Business Exhibition

Tuesday 29th of September 2026

10:30 - 14:30

The National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket

Get ready to connect, collaborate and grow at the launch of the West Suffolk Business Festival 2026!

This year’s launch event brings together businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations from across West Suffolk for an inspiring day of networking, ideas and opportunities, centred around our theme: Connecting for Growth.

Explore our business exhibition and meet a range of local organisations, support providers and businesses, making it the perfect opportunity to discover new connections, share ideas and find ways to help your business thrive.

Alongside the exhibition, hear from inspiring guest speakers and industry experts who will share their experiences, insights and practical advice and opportunities for businesses to make meaningful connections that support their growth.

Whether you’re a start-up, established business or an individual looking to explore what’s next, this is a great opportunity to meet new people, discover what’s available locally and kick-start your West Suffolk Business Festival experience.

Come along, make connections and discover what’s possible when West Suffolk businesses grow together.

Agenda

10:30 – 14:30 Exhibition and Talks open for Attendees

11:15 – 12:15 Guest speaker group 1

12:15 – 13:30 Lunch break dedicated for all attendees to take a break, network and visit the exhibition. A light buffet lunch will also be provided.

13:30 – 14:30 Guest speaker group 2

Guest Speaker Group 1

11:15 – 11:35 – Connecting Businesses in Newmarket with Tracey Harding, Discover Newmarket CEO & Natalie Robinson, Manger at Love Newmarket BID

11:35 – 11:55 – Connecting through Innovation with Scott Cogman, Innovation Hubs Manager at Connected Innovation

11:55 – 12:15 – Connecting through Sustainability with Paul Gilligan CEO of Pure Leapfrog

Guest Speaker Group 2

13:30 – 13:50 – Connecting through Education with Joe Sadler, Employer Engagement Lead at Eastern Education Group

13:50 – 14:10 – Connecting through Skills with West Suffolk Council – Indy Wijenayaka, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Dorcas Sukami, Growth Officer at West Suffolk Council

14:10 – 14:30 – Connecting through the Communitywith Josh Schumann, Newmarket Charitable Foundation CEO

Strategy Strolls - 08.10.2026

As part of the Business Festival week with have partnered with Strategy Strolls to deliver one of their Walking Networking events at Nowton Park on October 8th.

These events were created to be an escape from the stuffy meeting rooms, agendas, awkward introductions and elevator pitches, and a way to combine making business connections, accessing advice from other local business-people while getting some fresh air and movement. That’s what we call a productive 90 minutes!