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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250919T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250919T143000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20250717T005429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T085300Z
UID:20456-1758285000-1758292200@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Lessons from the Build: An SME’s Journey into AI and What Comes Next
DESCRIPTION:AI can feel overwhelming\, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. This workshop offers a clear and practical look at what it is really like to build and implement AI in an SME setting\, directly from someone who has done it. \nJohn Parkinson\, CEO of the third-generation family business HRGO\, will share how his team developed BettyAI\, a tool using LLMs and logistic regression for candidate and job matching\, as part of a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Kent. He will walk us through real-world lessons\, challenges and wins\, and explore how this technology is now being applied beyond recruitment into travel and eCommerce. \nWhether you are just starting out with AI or are exploring your next step\, this session will offer fresh insight from someone who understands the realities and rewards of innovation in an SME. \n  \nWhat to expect\n– A real-life case study of building an AI-powered recruitment tool \n– Honest reflections on lessons learned from a two-year academic partnership \n– Practical advice on how SMEs can use AI tools like LLMs today \n– Buffet lunch and networking opportunities \n  \nWho should attend?\nBusiness owners\, managers\, directors and anyone curious about using AI in a practical\, ethical and non-technical way to improve business processes\, recruitment or decision-making.
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/lessons-from-the-build-an-smes-journey-into-ai-and-what-comes-next/
LOCATION:The Green at Wembdon\, Homberg Way\, Wembdon\, Bridgwater\, TA6 7BY\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business strategy,Business Training,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lessons-from-the-Build-An-SMEs-Journey-into-AI-and-What-Comes-Next-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T100000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20250717T013909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T014520Z
UID:20464-1760601600-1760608800@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Employment Law Update
DESCRIPTION:Keeping up with employment law is essential for any business with staff. This practical morning session will bring you fully up to speed with the latest developments\, including key updates on the Employment Rights Bill currently going through Parliament. \nLed by legal expert Kate Shawcross from Porter Dodson\, this workshop is designed to help you understand the wide-ranging implications of upcoming changes and what they could mean for your business in practice. Whether you are running a small team or a large workforce\, you will leave with the clarity and confidence to stay compliant. \n  \nWhat to expect\n– An overview of the Employment Rights Bill and where it currently stands \n– Expert insights into how legislative changes will affect employers \n– A breakfast roll included with time for questions and networking \n  \nWho should attend?\nBusiness owners\, HR professionals\, managers and anyone responsible for employing staff or staying up to date with workplace regulations. \n 
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/employment-law-update/
LOCATION:Mercure Hotel\, 56-66 Eastover\, Bridgwater\, TA6 5AR
CATEGORIES:Business strategy,Business Training,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1-4.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T193000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20260224T031038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T041524Z
UID:24161-1772731800-1772739000@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Building Better Business in Bridgwater
DESCRIPTION:Building Better Business in Bridgwater is a practical training session aimed at helping Bridgwater retailers improve key parts of their digital marketing. The session will cover Google Business Profile\, SEO\, Facebook\, Instagram and email systems. \nThe format will include an introduction on the key benefits and potential impact\, followed by practical\, hands on work where attendees will be shown how to complete specific actions on their own laptops. The session will end with two or three homework tasks to complete and review at the following session.
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/building-better-business-in-bridgwater/
LOCATION:Bridgwater Arts Centre\, 11-13 Castle St\, Bridgwater\, TA6 3DD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business Training,Free events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/town-team.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260306T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260306T143000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20250310T135430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T130020Z
UID:17989-1772789400-1772807400@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:International Women's Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:We’re proud to return with our second International Women’s Day event\, kindly sponsored by Paul Smith Associates. It is a day dedicated to celebrating the stories\, achievements and voices of women in business across Sedgemoor and the wider region. \nThis year we are excited to be heading to Sheppy’s Cider Farm for the first time\, making the most of its beautiful setting to create a day of connection\, learning and inspiration. \n\n		\n		\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n  \nWhat to expect\n– A relaxed morning of introductions\, pastries and conversation \n– 3 short workshops led by local women in business\, offering insight\, encouragement and practical takeaways \n– Lunch and time to connect with others \n– A private guided tour and cider tasting experience at Sheppy’s \nAlongside the workshops\, we will also have Debbie Johnson from Pilates in Bridgwater leading a short energiser to lift the room and Aisling Magill Photography will be there too\, capturing the day. \nWhether you’re attending solo or with colleagues\, you’ll be warmly welcomed. This is a day for women at every stage of business to connect\, share experiences and enjoy something a little different together. \n  \n \n \n \n \nWe are proud to have Paul Smith Associates sponsoring this event. Based in the centre of Bridgwater and established in 1993\, they are an independent\, family run insurance broker providing bespoke cover for self employed people and small to medium sized businesses across the South West and beyond.\nPaul Smith Associates specialise in commercial motor insurance\, including taxis\, HGVs\, motor traders\, couriers\, minibuses and other vehicles used for business. They also arrange cover for commercial property\, liability\, shops\, offices\, restaurants and takeaways\, as well as personal policies for cars\, homes\, motor cycles and cherished vehicles. \nKnown for friendly\, straightforward advice and a genuinely personal service\, the team build long term relationships with their clients and are there to help when it matters most\, from finding competitive quotes to supporting you through a claim. \npaul-smith-associates.co.uk | mail@paul-smith-associates.co.uk | 01278 427678 \nA look back at last year’s celebration
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/book-your-tickets-now-international-womens-day-2026/
LOCATION:Sheppy’s Cider Farm\, Three Bridges\, Bradford-on-Tone\, Taunton\, TA4 1ER\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business Training,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IWD-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260326T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260326T193000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20260224T031257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T041409Z
UID:24167-1774546200-1774553400@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Building Better Business in Bridgwater
DESCRIPTION:  \nBuilding Better Business in Bridgwater is a practical training session aimed at helping Bridgwater retailers improve key parts of their digital marketing. The session will cover Google Business Profile\, SEO\, Facebook\, Instagram and email systems. \nThe format will include an introduction on the key benefits and potential impact\, followed by practical\, hands on work where attendees will be shown how to complete specific actions on their own laptops. The session will end with two or three homework tasks to complete and review at the following session.
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/building-better-business-in-bridgwater-2/
LOCATION:Bridgwater Arts Centre\, 11-13 Castle St\, Bridgwater\, TA6 3DD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business Training,Free events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/town-team.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260415T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260415T140000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20260320T085024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T092203Z
UID:24542-1776243600-1776261600@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Business Growth Day
DESCRIPTION:The Business Growth Day\, kindly sponsored by MMES\, brings together a series of focused workshops designed to help small and medium sized businesses identify opportunities for growth and remove common barriers that can hold them back. \nMany business owners find themselves spending most of their time working in their business rather than working on it. This event is designed to highlight practical areas where improvements\, better systems or clearer understanding can make a real difference. \nAcross the day\, a range of local experts will deliver short\, practical sessions covering key areas of business\, from finance and compliance to people\, systems and protection. \n  \nWhat to expect\n– A series of six focused sessions covering essential areas of business \n– Practical insight you can apply straight away \n– Time to connect with other local businesses throughout the day \n– Lunch included with time to reflect and continue conversations \n  \nEvent Schedule\n9:00 – Welcome and connections \n9:30 – Workshop 1 – A Practical Guide to Business Insurance \nA practical guide to the insurance your business may need\, and how to approach brokers or insurers with the right information. We will cover statutory insurance requirements\, the types of cover that can help protect both your business and your customers\, and emerging risks such as cyber attacks and cyber crime. Presented by Paul Smith\, Proprietor\, Paul Smith Associates \n10:00 – Workshop 2 – Building Your Business’s Online Presence \nVisibility matter more than ever for businesses and in this session\, Rose Stacey\, Director – Boring Business will cover topics such as building confidence in your digital presence\, the importance of social media and choosing the right platforms for your business and email marketing along with tips on generating reviews and avoiding common mistakes. \n10:30 – Workshop 3 – Karen Gascoigne – Making Tax Digital\, a guide to the new rules and requirements \n11:00  – Break \n11:15  – Workshop 4 – David Ballantine – Wealth management for business owners \n11:45 – Workshop 5 – Liberate your business to surge ahead through practical\, powerful conversations whilst keeping ahead of the Employment Rights Act.  \nThose businesses investing in the skills\, behaviours and capabilities of their Managers not only weather the storm but emerge from it stronger\, more resilient and better positioned than those who do not.  We will show you what to focus on\, when and how – do that and you will also keep ahead of the Employment Rights Act.  We will discuss practical\, commercially focused people solutions in addressing challenges such as absence\, high turnover\, low engagement and performance\, all carrying significant financial and operational consequences.  The practical implications of the Reforms are also significant – Managers who lack the skills to have those early\, honest\, constructive conversations will increasingly expose their organisations to legal risk.  Leave our session confident in how you can liberate your business at every level.  Presented by Karen Wellman\, Managing Director\, Reframe HR \n12:15  – Workshop 6 – Opening the Door to Smarter Working: What’s Possible for Your Business? \nSteve Bloomer\, Managing Director\, Springboard IT will help us start discovering how the better use of software you already have\, then if required with simple integrations\, can streamline processes across your business. From reducing duplication and errors\, to saving time on everyday tasks\, small changes lead to new ways of working. \nThis session explores how businesses can start to rethink their processes by making better use of the software they already have. Through practical examples\, it highlights how simple integrations and small changes can reduce duplication\, improve accuracy and ease the pressure of day-to-day administration. \nAttendees will gain a clearer understanding of where inefficiencies may sit within their own business\, along with ideas of what is possible when systems work together more effectively. \n12:45  – Lunch and connections \n \nWe’re proud to have MMES sponsoring this event. Based in Bridgwater\, MMES has been delivering professional electrical and mechanical services for more than 30 years\, supporting clients across Somerset\, the South West and the wider UK. \nTheir experienced team provides a wide range of services\, including electrical design and project management\, electrical engineering\, mechanical solutions\, technology systems\, maintenance and asset care\, and specialist work in sophisticated environments. MMES also has extensive experience in sectors such as nuclear\, power and energy\, water and utilities\, food and beverage\, industrial and renewable energy. \nWith a strong focus on safety\, quality\, time and cost delivery\, MMES has built its reputation on reliable service\, technical expertise and a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction. \nm-mes.com | info@m-mes.com | 01278 434263 \n 
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/business-growth-day/
LOCATION:Bridgwater College\, Bridgwater College\, Bath Rd\, Bridgwater TA6 4PZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business strategy,Business Training,Free events,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Business-Growth-Day-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260424T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260424T140000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20260326T045317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T045317Z
UID:24617-1777032000-1777039200@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Somerset Business Expo Exhibitor Briefing
DESCRIPTION:This session is exclusively for confirmed exhibitors at the Somerset Business Expo on Friday the 12th of June.\nDesigned to help you get the most out of your stand\, this briefing brings all exhibitors together ahead of the event to share key information\, answer questions and provide practical guidance on how to prepare. \nWe’ll walk you through everything you need to know for the day itself\, from logistics and timings to what to expect on arrival. Alongside this\, we’ll share examples\, ideas and best practices to help you make your stand as effective as possible and ensure you get real value from exhibiting. \nThere will also be time to meet fellow exhibitors\, ask questions and connect in a collaborative setting before the Expo. \n\nWhat to expect\n– A clear overview of the event day and logistics \n– Practical tips and examples to help you stand out \n– Open Q and A to answer any questions you may have \n– Time to connect with other exhibitors ahead of the event
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/somerset-business-expo-exhibitor-briefing/
LOCATION:Junction 24\, Market Way\, North Petherton\, Somerset\, TA6 6DFTA6 6DF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business strategy,Business Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Somerset-Business-Expo-Exhibitor-Briefing.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260430T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260430T193000
DTSTAMP:20260506T104505
CREATED:20260224T031403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T041445Z
UID:24171-1777570200-1777577400@sedgemoorchamber.co.uk
SUMMARY:Building Better Business in Bridgwater
DESCRIPTION:Building Better Business in Bridgwater is a practical training session aimed at helping Bridgwater retailers improve key parts of their digital marketing. The session will cover Google Business Profile\, SEO\, Facebook\, Instagram and email systems. \nThe format will include an introduction on the key benefits and potential impact\, followed by practical\, hands on work where attendees will be shown how to complete specific actions on their own laptops. The session will end with two or three homework tasks to complete and review at the following session.
URL:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/chambers-events/building-better-business-in-bridgwater-3/
LOCATION:Bridgwater Arts Centre\, 11-13 Castle St\, Bridgwater\, TA6 3DD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Business Training,Free events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sedgemoorchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/town-team.jpg
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