FIRMS across the West Midlands are being urged to get on the fast track to success by joining UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as it brings the world to the region for its sixth Export Week (November 10-14).

Organised by UKTI in conjunction with partners and business organisations, Export Week aims to encourage companies to take up the export challenge and highlight the wealth of support and knowledge available to help them grow.

Previous Export Weeks have seen more than 17,000 companies across the UK attend events. UKTI’s flagship ExploreExport roadshow will be touring the country bringing a total of 130 UKTI Commercial Officers and British Chamber of Commerce representatives from 80 countries to share their expertise with local firms.

The ExploreExport roadshow will be at the ICC, Birmingham on Wednesday, November 12. The event offers local firms pre-bookable, one-to-one meetings with up to four of their chosen market specialists. Set to be the biggest of its kind in the country, the West Midlands ExploreExport event also offers firms a range of other opportunities, including:

• UKTI adviser hub: drop-in clinic where firms can speak to local UKTI advisers.

• Exhibition zone: visitors will be able to engage with up to 40 organisations who will be on hand to offer advice and support on a range of subjects including: access to finance; law and regulation; Intellectual Property; logistics; overcoming language and cultural differences; translation services; international marketing; and generating leads overseas.

• Market lounge: opportunity for networking and informal talks with experts from some of the region’s biggest export markets.

• Seminars: a programme of short seminars tackling the most common barriers to exporting, and offering solutions. Other events during Export Week include: a mid-sized business event; a women-led business event; a start-up event for young entrepreneurs; and an event focusing on the opportunities presented by the next powerhouses of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey (MINT). All the events during Export Week are free, except the ExploreExport event which costs £50 plus VAT.

Partners supporting Export Week include UK Export Finance, ACCA, RBS, Birmingham City University, Staffordshire Council and the European Enterprise Network.

Export Week (10-14 November) will feature a range of events across the region, including:

• Monday, November 10 - Taking on Brazil – Business workshop, Birmingham Science Park, Faraday Wharf, Holt Street, Birmingham B7 4BB. Time: 08:30-16:00 

• Tuesday, November 11 - Web Optimisation & Social Media Marketing Workshop, De Vere Colmore Gate, 2-6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QD. Time: 09:00 – 16:00

• Tuesday, November 11 - Emerging Europe, Coventry (location tbc) Time: 08:30-11:00 (followed by networking).

• Wednesday, November 12 - Explore Export, The ICC, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA. Time: 08:30 – 16:00

• Thursday, November 13 - Women-led business: Expand your horizons, IET Birmingham: Austin Court, 80 Cambridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2NP. Time: 15:00 - 19:30

• Friday, November 14 - Start-up global, Thinktank, Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Time: 09:30 – 15:30

• Friday, November 14 - Staffordshire Export Support, Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Drayton Manor Drive, Tamworth B78 3TW.

• Wednesday, November  19 – MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey): The next powerhouses, The Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 6GE. Time: 09:30 – 14:30.

For more information about any of the events taking place during Export Week or to book a place, log onto the website at: Export Week

To find out if UKTI can help your business expand overseas call: 44(0) 345 2220159