Spark Festival Launches New Network for Young Businesses

The Spark Children’s Arts Festival is launching a new networking scheme for local young businesses. The new initiative is being launched by the Leicester-based charity with maber architects to develop a membership scheme for local businesses offering a variety of networking opportunities and partnership of the 2013 festival.

The Spark’s Young Business Network is a membership scheme for businesses which are between three and five years old.  Businesses will be aligned with The Spark Festival 2013 as partners of a high quality family event and will also be the special guests at a business reception to celebrate the launch of the scheme during the festival.  Further networking events will include a programme of creative speakers and masterclasses.  The events will be hosted by other organisations in Leicester engaged in supporting and developing young businesses. As members of The Spark’s Young Business Network, businesses will receive partnership benefits and be promoted alongside the 2013 festival.  The cost of membership is £250.

The £250 membership fee is a donation towards the organisation’s fundraising appeal – Shine For The Spark. The organisation is raising funds to protect its schools programme which enables schools across the city to access inspirational arts as part of the festival.

The Spark is the largest independent children’s arts festival in England and Wales.  Last year over 13,600 people attended Spark events including more than 3,500 children at performances and workshops in city schools. 

maber architects are a client focussed, design led architectural practice with a passion to deliver great buildings with offices in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and London.  maber are supporting the Young Business Network as Business Partner of the launch campaign. 

Mark Hobson, Managing Director at maber architects comments: 

“maber are delighted to be supporting The Spark’s Young Business Network which will bring young businesses together at that crucial early stage and provide unique networking events  with a creative slant.  This is a great opportunity for young businesses to align themselves with a high profile organisation making a difference to thousands of families across Leicester and to benefit from linking with a collective of other businesses in the area to share experience and ideas.”  

The Spark’s Director Adel Al-Salloum comments on the new initiative:

“The Young Business Network will be a group involved in innovation and creative thinking. The Spark knows that when businesses and the arts get together and share ideas, great things happen.  Through this scheme the festival aims to make connections to get to know businesses in our city better and to find out how we can work together to make the city even more successful.  This scheme will in turn ensure the festival can offer more to children and families in Leicester and our region.”

The Spark will take place from 29 May until 9 June this year at venues across Leicester. Visit the website to find out more at www.sparkfestival.co.uk, find The Spark on Facebook at facebook.com/sparkartsfest and Twitter at sparkartsfest or call 0116 261 6893.

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