As a business owner or stakeholder, attending events and exhibitions can be incredibly valuable, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, gaining industry insights, and much more.
There are lots of upcoming opportunities for businesses in Salford and Greater Manchester, with a variety of events happening in March 2025 and beyond. From webinars and workshops to careers fairs and networking lunches, take a look at our round-up of local events to see where you can take your business next.
Awards
- 2025 ‘GM Rising Stars of Business’ – we have been invited by GM Business Growth Hub to have our say in BusinessCloud’s second annual ‘Rising Stars’ list. Please submit your nominations here: GM Rising Stars of Business nominations.
Social Enterprises
- Macc Connect – Fostering VCSE Partnerships (3 April 2025, 10:00–12:30)
A free networking event by Macc at Virgin Money, Manchester, to connect businesses with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
Event Information – Fostering VCSE Partnerships.
- Salford CVS Funding Opportunities
Social enterprises can find small grants (often £5k or less) through Salford CVS and 10GM. These are updated regularly and open to eligible community groups, social enterprises, and charities.
Funding Opportunities – Salford CVS.
- The Growth Company – Social Enterprise Support
We recently hosted a Stronger Together session with Heather and Simon from The Growth Company to discuss business support for social enterprises. Find out more about available resources and how to access support here: Stronger Together – Social Enterprises.
Talent
- Navigating New Employment Law 2025 Webinar (3 April 2025, 09:30–10:30)
A free online briefing on recent HR law changes. Join the session to stay on top of what’s changed and understand what you’ll need to do in 2025 to comply.
Webinar Details – Stockport Council
- In-House Recruitment Live Manchester 2025 (15 May 2025, 09:00–17:00)
A major talent acquisition expo at Victoria Warehouse, bringing together in-house recruiters and industry experts to help teams discover new and better ways of recruiting.
Event Details – In-House Recruitment Live
- Manchester Careers Fair (30 April 2025, 10:00–14:00)
A large job fair where businesses can hire and connect with candidates, held at the stunning Britannia Hotel in the heart of Manchester. Prospective employers will have the chance to meet talented individuals and recruit emerging talent, all whilst creating a positive brand profile.
Exhibit at Manchester Careers Fair
Digital, Creative & Tech Businesses
- Festival of Enterprise 2025 (14 March 2025, 09:30–15:00)
A free all-day event celebrating entrepreneurship at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Perfect for creative startups, tech entrepreneurs, and SMEs to get inspired. The event will feature industry speakers on marketing, exporting and finance, plus networking, business support info, and even on-stage pitching.
Festival of Enterprise – Register for Free
- Power Up Your Digital, Creative & Tech Business – Workshop (23 April 2025, 9:30-3:30)
An interactive full-day workshop aimed at early-stage digital, creative and tech companies in Greater Manchester. The workshop will help build on existing foundations towards sustainable growth once businesses have progressed from the startup phase.
Power Up Workshop – Business Growth Hub
- Manchester Tech Week – DTX & UCX Expo (2–3 April 2025)
A large free tech exhibition at Manchester Central as part of Manchester Tech Week. Connecting unified communications and customer experience professionals, this event offers the chance to learn from industry experts, explore the latest trends and expand your network.
UCX Event – Manchester Tech Week
General
- GMCC Business Networking (Salford & GM)
The Greater Manchester Chamber is running informal networking meetups across the region, including one in Salford on 30 April 2025 (8:30–10:30am)
- Business Growth Hub Match – Bury (24 April 2025, 09:30–11:30)
A free cross-Greater Manchester networking event provided by Business Growth Hub’s free business connector network, allowing businesses to connect and find out about the fully funded business support available to them.
Business Growth Hub – Free Networking Event
- Business Women’s Network Lunch (6 June 2025, 12:00–14:30)
A networking lunch in Manchester for female founders and professionals to connect and share insights, with a discussion from a panel of inspiring expert speakers.
Business Women’s Network Lunch
- EnterprisingYou Program (GM)
A fully-funded support program for self-employed and gig-economy business owners in Greater Manchester. The program incorporates coaching and training opportunities to help towards the development of businesses and business owners, and includes 1:1 coaching, financial guidance and well-being support.
Enterprising You Program
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