NFEA obtains additional support for 2009 Annual Conference

(I-Newswire) August 20, 2009 - NFEA press release

Thursday 20 August 2009


NFEA obtains additional support for 2009 Annual Conference
Sage confirmed as new sponsor and bespoke social accounting session announced

NFEA is pleased to announce that Sage (UK) Limited has pledged its support to the 2009 NFEA Annual Conference � a highly regarded event for key decision makers and influencers within the NFEA network of enterprise support organisations and in the wider enterprise sector.

With a dedicated theme � A Fine Balance: Social Ethos or Commercial Focus - the 2009 NFEA Conference will examine the tensions between maintaining a social outlook and also being commercially viable. Over 150 delegates are due to attend this year's residential event at the Royal York Hotel in York, from 15 - 17 September.
Headquartered in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sage (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, a leading supplier of business software and services to 5.7 million customers worldwide. As part of its support of the NFEA Conference, Sage is hosting the networking dinner on Tuesday 15 September, which takes place before the official conference opens on Wednesday 16 September.
Jason Sullock, Customer Marketing Manager comments: "We're very happy to be sponsoring the 2009 NFEA Annual Conference and networking dinner. Sage is passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship - and by working with the NFEA and its members; we're delighted to be able to help entrepreneurs get the best possible start for their new business."

Speaking about the additional support received for the 2009 NFEA Conference, NFEA Chief Executive George Derbyshire said: "We very much welcome Sage to the NFEA Conference as a sponsor this year. The value they place on the small business sector is clear and we are very much looking forward to introducing Sage to the enterprise support sector specifically."
In supporting the 2009 NFEA Annual Conference, Sage joins headline sponsor Barclays Bank, as well as Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward � all of whom are showing their appreciation of and commitment to NFEA and individual agencies within the wider business support arena.
NFEA is also now able to share details of one of the key conference programme elements. Linking into the conference aim of discovering best practice principles, this year will include a bespoke session on Social Accounting, led by Solitaire Townsend, CEO of Futerra Communications and advocate of social accounting methods.

The session has been specifically designed for the event, to highlight this new way for organisations to demonstrate their effectiveness. With an interactive approach, Solitaire will explore the value of social accounting, demonstrate some of the key features of the method and outline how it could benefit organisations within the enterprise support sector. The delegation will also be given practical tips that can be taken back and implemented within their enterprise support organisations directly.

Speaking of her involvement at the event, Solitaire Townsend said: "I have seen first hand how hugely valuable social accounting methods can be and I am thrilled to be able to introduce the exciting concept and key principles to the enterprise support sector for the first time."
- Ends -

Press passes are available for journalists that would like to attend the event to increase their understanding and awareness of the enterprise support sector. For further information on the 2009 NFEA Annual Conference or to request a press pass, please contact Hayley Williams, NFEA Head of Communications: hayley.williams@nfea.com / 01234 831623.


Editors Notes:

About NFEA
NFEA is the national enterprise network. Its members, drawn from local enterprise agencies and a wider range of enterprise support organisations, provide an array of services to new and emerging businesses including independent and impartial advice, training and mentoring.
www.nfea.com

About Sage
UK Headquartered in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sage (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, a leading supplier of business software and services to 5.7 million customers worldwide. Formed in 1981, the Group was floated on the stock exchange in 1989 and now employs 14,800 people in its market leading companies worldwide. Through its people, business software, services and partners, Sage is passionate about helping businesses of all sizes achieve their ambitions by helping them to overcome the day-to-day practicalities of running a business, so that they can do business the way they want to. www.sage.co.uk

About Solitaire Townsend, M.A, M.Prof:
Solitaire Townsend co-founded Futerra Sustainability Communications Ltd in 2001 and now acts as Chief Executive of this award-winning communications agency in green issues. A values-based company committed to transformational change, Futerra is now a force in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia, with offices in London and New York. Solitaire was named Ethical Entrepreneur of the Year 2008/09 and she is a member of the United Nations Taskforce on Sustainable Lifestyles, Board Director of the leading think tank Tomorrow's Company and one of fifteen London Leaders for Sustainability.
www.futerra.co.uk

About Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region. www.yorkshire-forward.co.uk

About Barclays Local Business
Barclays Local Business provides great value to its customers by offering services and a comprehensive range of tailored business banking products to more than 600,000 businesses typically with a turn over less than �1 million. www.barclays.co.uk/business

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