WOMEN in business are being challenged to look at new ways to grow and adapt their businesses at this year’s Swindon and Wiltshire Women in Business Conference.

Taking place on International Women’s Day, March 8, at Bowood Spa and Golf Resort, the conference will focus on creativity and innovation in business.

Raising funds - whether for business or charity - is a key issue for small and growing businesses, and included in the conference workshop programme will be a workshop on crowdfunding, an increasingly popular tool to raise cash whilst at the same time testing the market and building a following.

The workshop will be led by Wiltshire-based trainer, consultant and Crowdfunding Academy founder Anthony de Souza. Anthony has helped hundreds of project creators use crowdfunding to raise money, build a following, generate interest and test their concepts.

“The secret to success is in the planning” said Anthony. “There’s no magic but an important to-do list of key issues to make sure a crowdfunding campaign meets or even exceeds its target.”

Hosted by Wiltshire Council’s The Enterprise Network (TEN) and backed by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the conference will celebrate International Women’s Day, showcasing entrepreneurial talent from across the region and providing a forum for learning, sharing and connecting.

The conference programme includes expert speakers, interactive workshops, networking and exhibitions, as well as an advisor zone where people can find out about the range of free business support on offer.

“We want to create a day that promotes support and collaboration” said Jol Rose, conference coordinator. “Every year the conference helps people build lasting connections as well as providing great advice to help businesses on the road to success.”

Tickets for the Women in Business Conference cost £37 per person which includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Further details and ticket reservation online at www.theenterprisenetwork.co.uk/wib