Downtown in Business announces a packed calendar of national conferences, prestigious awards, major business campaigns and an expanded media platform as it prepares to celebrate its 24th anniversary.
Downtown in Business (DIB) is gearing up for its biggest year yet, with an ambitious programme of events, campaigns and new initiatives that will strengthen its position as one of the UK’s most influential business networks and a leading voice for business outside London.
As the organisation celebrates its 24th anniversary in 2027, DIB will deliver an unprecedented calendar of national conferences, business awards, political engagement events and exclusive networking opportunities, alongside the launch of its expanded CITY TALKS campaign, a new podcast series and a refreshed digital platform.
With an established presence across Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond, DIB is looking to build on more than two decades of connecting business leaders, influencing policy, championing enterprise and helping its members develop valuable commercial relationships.
A BIG YEAR OF EVENTS
The 2027 programme will see DIB hosting some of its most established events alongside exciting new additions to its calendar, including its inaugural National Business Awards in London.
The year kicks off in January with Change Makers Live, a major national conference in London bringing together political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and influential voices to debate the future of the UK economy.
February will see DIB host its Liverpool City Region Parliamentary Reception in Westminster, followed in March by the organisation’s 15th annual Women in Business Awards and its popular programme of activity at the international property festival MIPIM in Cannes.
April brings the CITY TALKS Business Conference and Lancashire Economic Summit, before DIB heads to Leeds in May for UKREiiF, one of the UK’s most significant property and regeneration gatherings.
June will feature the Cheshire & North Wales Business Awards and the launch of DIB’s inaugural National Business Awards in London, a landmark occasion
that will celebrate outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders from across the country.
The second half of the year will be equally busy, with the City of Liverpool Business Awards in July, the City of Manchester Business Awards and Talking ‘Bout Regeneration Conference in September, the City of Birmingham Business Awards in October, and the spectacular 25th annual ‘Livercool’ Awards bringing the programme to a close in November.
CITY TALKS – GIVING BUSINESS A BIGGER VOICE
Beyond its events programme, DIB will launch an ambitious CITY TALKS campaign across Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, providing a stronger platform for the business community to influence the policy debates that will shape the future of Britain’s great cities.
With devolution continuing to transform the political and economic landscape, CITY TALKS will bring together entrepreneurs, employers, investors, civic leaders and policymakers to examine the opportunities and challenges facing regional economies.
Through business forums, conferences, policy discussions and direct engagement with decision-makers, the campaign will ensure that the private sector is not simply responding to political decisions but actively contributing to them.
A new CITY TALKS podcast will complement the campaign, putting entrepreneurs, business leaders and influential civic figures centre stage to share their ambitions, experiences and plans for the future.
Meanwhile, DIB’s new website and expanded media offering will create even more opportunities to showcase its members and corporate partners, celebrate business success stories and provide informed commentary on the political and economic developments affecting UK cities and regions.
MORE THAN EVENTS – CONNECTING PEOPLE, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Despite the scale of its 2027 programme, DIB insists that its core mission remains unchanged: connecting businesses with opportunities, people and ideas that help them grow.
The organisation will continue to host its exclusive roundtable discussions with senior political and business decision-makers, provide tailored business
development support to members, champion its corporate partners and offer regular insight into the issues shaping the UK economy.
DIB Group chair and chief executive Frank McKenna said:
“2027 is shaping up to be a hugely exciting year for Downtown in Business. As we celebrate our 24th anniversary, we are putting together what is undoubtedly our most ambitious programme of events, campaigns and business engagement activity yet.
“From our Change Makers Live conference in London to our inaugural National Business Awards, and from our established city awards programmes to our growing involvement in major national property and regeneration events, we are creating more opportunities than ever for businesses to connect, raise their profile, influence policy and, importantly, win business.
“But this is about much more than putting on great events. We are entering a fascinating period for the UK’s cities and regions. Devolution is changing the way decisions are made, new political leadership is emerging, and there are huge opportunities around regeneration, infrastructure, technology and investment. Business needs to be at the heart of those conversations, and that is precisely what our CITY TALKS campaign is designed to achieve.
“DIBs new website, expanded media platforms and CITY TALKS podcast will also give us a much bigger stage from which to promote the fantastic entrepreneurs, businesses and organisations we work with.
“Of course, the events we have announced are only the highlights. Throughout the year, we will continue doing what DIB has always done best – bringing the right people together, opening doors, creating commercial opportunities and making sure the voice of business is heard where it matters.
“We have always believed that business is built on relationships, and after almost a quarter of a century, that philosophy remains at the heart of everything we do.
“2027 promises to be our biggest year yet – and with our 25th anniversary just around the corner in 2028, we have no intention of slowing down.”
Downtown in Business is a leading UK business organisation connecting entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and senior decision-makers through an extensive programme of networking events, conferences, awards, media activity and public affairs engagement.
Founded in 2003, DIB works with businesses across the UK, helping members develop commercial opportunities, build influential relationships and contribute to the political and economic debates shaping the future of towns, cities and regions.
