Diary of a CEO and Dragons Den star Steven Bartlett is to headline a new business festival coming to Aberdeen.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) is launching the Ultimate Masterclass Festival (UMF) next year as part of a six-figure investment in Union Street and the surrounding area.
It’s hoped the new festival of ideas featuring podcasting stars will bring more than 3,000 people to Aberdeen city centre next year.
The events – to be held throughout the year and across five city centre venues – will feature three internationally acclaimed best-selling authors, as well as business experts across a number of disciplines.
Host of podcast stars
Dragons Den star and entrepreneur Mr Bartlett will headline the festival with an event at The Music Hall in October.
After starting a £400million social media marketing company from his bedroom in Manchester, Mr Bartlett now acts as a speaker, investor, author and content creator, and hosts business podcast, ‘The Diary of a CEO’.
Also taking part in the festival is Hollywood social media strategist, Brendan Kane, who went from zero to one million Instagram followers in just 30 days and wrote a best-selling book about it.
He will join 300 guests for an exclusive dinner at The Chester Hotel in February.
In May, The Tivoli Theatre will host a special evening with Elizabeth Day, author of UK podcast ‘How to Fail’.
The journalist, author and screen writer will explore her own experiences and how when she removed both the fear and ego, saw failure very differently.
Inspire the business community
AGCC is investing a six figure sum in the festival with the events being held in the city centre as part of efforts to repopulate Union Street with businesses and people.
Policy and marketing director Ryan Crighton said: “We’re bringing together some of the brightest business minds and giving them a platform to share the secrets of their success.
“Why? We want to inspire our business community with new thinking and new ideas to grow our region’s economy.
“UMF will be a series of business masterclasses held by experts in their respective field, designed to enlighten and empower anyone looking for business or personal growth.
“Backed by the chamber leadership, this programme has been designed entirely by staff within the organisation, who have been given creative licence to build a series of events that the region can be proud of.”
Other events in the series include a messaging masterclass from a communication director who worked in the UK Government during Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic and a marketing masterclass with the brains behind the vegan sausage roll launch.
There will also be a session with the advertising agency behind Irn Bru’s infamous “fanny” campaign, and other adverts seen our screens.
To view all masterclasses and book tickets at umf.events.
Tickets for the Brendan Kane dinner are available now, while tickets for Steven Bartlett and Elizabeth Day will go on sale on December 9 at 9am.
Conversation