SFA Business Connect is an exciting marketplace event designed to give small businesses a window into the decision making and purchasing processes of Ireland’s leading companies. 2018 was the first year of Business Connect and was hosted by Richard Curran.

The event in 2018 was held in the Aviva Stadium and attracted 300 delegates.  We held it virtually during Covid which attracted almost 500 online participants.  We have since moved the event to a bigger location due to it’s growing popularity within the business calendar.

The event concept was devised by Shellcove in response to a request from the client to help small companies gain access to and win contracts from larger businesses. The event also showcases and hosts 60 small businesses who are finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards competition. The final judging process of this competition takes place on the day of the event.

The Business Connect event provides a fantastic vehicle for these companies to showcase their expertise to larger companies in the Irish business ecosystem. There is a range of categories to suit all small businesses with up to 50 employees.

The Task

The Business Connect event has been an outstanding success for the Small Firms Association since its introduction in 2018. In 2021 however, the nature of the event industry as a result of the global pandemic brought significant challenges to running such a successful event virtually.

We were tasked with producing a professional, accessible and engaging event for Business Connect following on from that. The event in Aviva stadium would provide networking opportunities and a exhibition space for up to 60 finalists to showcase their businesses.  As the event has grown we have moved it out of the Aviva to The Killashee Hotel in 2024 and 2025 which has allowed for an increased number of in-person delegates and to this end we hosted the most recent Business Connect just this month with over 480 delegates.

The Solution

As we had designed the original concept of Business Connect, we had the knowledge and experience to take this project to the next level. We began by identifying the key topics which we felt the agenda should cover, and following this, sourced and managed expert speakers and panellists as they participated in the event.

Our team co-ordinated and designed the build of a custom built stage, allowing us to host live sessions to the highest industry standard. We organised full training and technical support to speakers, attendees exhibitors before and during the event.

Services Delivered

• Developing the event concept and theme
• AV and production team management
• Booking MC
• Studio artwork design for virtual event
• Stage design
• Creating video stings played during event
• Identifying sessions and speakers
• Speaker management
• Sponsor and exhibitor management
• Management of 60 awards finalists
• Managing an online judging process for SFA awards finalists
• Online event portal management and support for 2021

The Result

The Business Connect event was another extremely successful event as expressed by our client and all those who participated.