Events
Drink & Meet 13 May 13
13 May 2013
Neworking opportunity.
Buzz Meeting 25-4-13
25 April 2013
Buzz meeting from 6-8pm at Aichee Engineering in Charlwoods Road.
Buzz Meeting 25 April 13
25 April 2013
A chance to see this unique engineering company in the heart of EG. Specialists in sheetmetal work, and state of art machinery. Plus talk by Longridge Fire Testing. 6-8pm.
Drink & Meet 8 April 13
8 April 2013
A chance to networking with business colleagues.
Buzz Meeting 28-3-13
28 March 2013
Buzz meeting at Wear it Again Sam from 6-8pm. A chance to see the vintage clothing and experience a by-gone age. Excellent viewing and networking opportunity.
Drink & Meet 11 March 2013
11 March 2013
Drink & Meet - netwroking event at La Farola 6-8pm. A chance to meet with business colleagues and network in social surroundings. Car parking available opposite, which is free after 6pm.
Buzz Meeting 26-2-13
26 February 2013
Breakfast meeting at the Felbridge Hotel. 7.30am to 9am. Cost only £9.95 payable at the door. Please reserve your place in advance.
An opportunity to network with business colleagues
Buzz Meeting & AGM
5 February 2013
Networking meeting and AGM. A chance to hear what the EGBA has done for you over the last 12 months and its plans for 2013. We want to hear your views, what do you want from the Association. And to elect 3 new committee members.
Buzz Meeting
19 December 2012
A chance to celebrate and networking with colleagues at the lovely Marriott hotel in Lingfield. you may bring a guest/partner or your work colleagues to make it an occasion to remember. The cost is only £12.00. Download a form and send with cheque to Caroll (details are on the form).
Drink & Meet
10 December 2012
Networking event at La Farola 6-8pm.
Buzz Meeting
28 November 2012
Buzz Meeting 6-8pm at Majestic Wine on London Road. A chance to hear about the company and wines available as well as networking with business colleagues.
Drink & Meet
12 November 2012
Networking event at La Farola 6-8pm. Social networking event, free car parking opposite.
Buzz Meeting
25 October 2012
Buzz meeting 6-8pm at Wedding & Special Occasions. A chance to see their faciities and range of products/services.
Located in Railway approach. Car parking available nearby. Refreshments available and chance to networking with business colleagues.
Drink & Meet
8 October 2012
Networking event at La Farola 6-8pm. Social networking event, free car parking opposite.
Buzz Meeting
26 September 2012
Breakfast meeting 7.30-9.30am. Hosted by Knighthood Insurance. Cost £10.00 payable at the door.
Located at the EG Sports Club.
Note that if you book, we will need to pay for the breakfast, and payment will be required even if you are unable to attend.
Please confirm attendance to caroll.everest@egba.co.uk.
10 September 2012
Networking event at La Farola 6-8pm. Social event enabling you to networking with local business colleagues. Parking oppsite. Bring lots of Business cards.
Drink & Meet
13 August 2012
Networking event at La Farola 6-8pm. A social event providing the opportunity to networking with local business colleagues. Parking available nearby opposite.
Drink & Meet 9-7-12
9 July 2012
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Buzz Meeting 25-6-12
25 June 2012
A rare opportunity to experience the oldeworlde atmosphere of the reknowned Boo Shop in EG. With its hidden treasures, meeting room, coffee area and a manager with a wealth of knowledge on books. Great atmosphere and opportunity to browe and network with colleagues.
Drink & Meet 11-6-12
11 June 2012
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Buzz Meeting 25-5-12
25 May 2012
Another opportunity to visit a member’s premises and to hear about the services offered.
Buzz Meeting - 25 May 12
25 May 2012
Cost only £15.00 for lunch. Please advise if attending to Caroll at caroll.everest@egba.co.uk
Drink & Meet 14-5-12
14 May 2012
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Drink & Meet
14 May 2012
A great opportunity to networking with local business colleagues at La Farola on London Rd, 18.00-20.00. Parking opposite in main car park - free after 6pm.
Buzz Meeting 18-4-12
18 April 2012
Another opportunity to visit a member’s premises and to hear about the services offered. Come and see the groundbreaking technology produced.
Drink & Meet 2-4-12
2 April 2012
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Buzz Meeting 29-3-12
29 March 2012
Another opportunity to visit a member’s premises and to hear about the services offered.
Drink & Meet 12-3-12
12 March 2012
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Buzz Meeting 29 Feb 12
29 February 2012
First breakfast meeting of 2012 - for all those that have busy schedules. An opportunity to network before you set off for work.
Drink & Meet 13-2-12
13 February 2012
An opportunity to networking with business colleagues. Bring lots of business cards.
AGM & Buzz Meeting 19-1-12
19 January 2012
AGM and Networking Event to be held at EG Ruby Club, St Hill Road, East Grinstead. An opportunity to hear what the EGBA have achieved this year, its plans for the future and to network with members and local businesses.
6-9pm. Refreshments will be available.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
Please confirm you attendance to: caroll.everest@egba.co.uk
Car Parking available in main car park.
Drink & Meet Xmas Party
12 December 2011
Join us for a Xmas Party meet up. Our usual networking event at La Farola - with a buffet. So you can still network and meet business colleagues but also a Xmas celebration. Buffet style allowing you to mingle and talk. Only £10.00 on the door. 6-8pm. Fee parking opposite after 6pm.
Buzz Meeting Burt Brill & Carden
29 November 2011
Burt, Brill & Cardens, The Center, 201-203 London Road
East Grinstead, RH19 1HA
(Opposite La Farola). Car Parking behind.
18.00-20.00. They will give a short introduction about Burt Brill & Cardens and a Partner will give a presentation on "Mediation for Business - its uses and benefits" which will then be followed by networking.
Drink & Meet 14 Nov
14 November 2011
An opportunity to networking with business colleagues. Bring lots of business cards.
Drink & Meet 14-11-11
14 November 2011
An opportunity to relax and networking with business colleagues.
Buzz Meeting
26 October 2011
Eden River Press, based off Charlwoods Road. A unique opportunity to see the machines in full action, meet their team and see what they can do. Refreshments available and networking.
Drink & Meet
10 October 2011
Opportunity to network with local business colleagues in convivial surroundings. Easy parking opposite by the fire station.
Buzz Meeting - Centre for Sight
28 September 2011
A unique opportunity to see the facilities on offer at the Centre for Sight, a short presentation by Maggie Middleton and the Director about what they do and what they offer. Then a chance to see the faciltieis and if you want to have your eyes looked at.
Nibbles and refreshments will be provided courtesy of Centre for Sight.
Drink & Meet 12 Sept 11
12 September 2011
A chance to network with business colleagues at La Farola from 6-8pm. Bring lots of business cards.
Drink & Meet La Farola
15 August 2011
An opportunity to networking with business colleagues at La Farola in East Grinstead, 6-8pm.
Buzz Meeting - Nizam
26 July 2011
Tiffin time at Nizam with presentation on Wines by Market Square. 12-2pm. Cost £6.00 members, £10.00 non-members.
Buzz Meeting - Blacklands Farm
28 June 2011
The General Manager will give a talk and you can also experience some of the activities on offer. If you wish, come prepared in outdoor clothes and 'have a go' at some of the range of activities available, these include: abseiling, wall climbing (inc one indoors) and various other outdoor pursuits.
We hope to see you there.
Drink & Meet - La Farola
23 May 2011
A great location, with free car parking (after 18.00) opposite (behind the fire station). A great opportunity to meet local business colleagues, have a drink and some nibbles.
Buzz Meeting - Chequer Mead
17 May 2011
Providing you with the opportunity to network AND see members premises, their products and services - providing you with increased awareness of our members and their businesses.
17 May from 18.00-20.00 at the Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre.
Apart from a state of the art theatre, the centre boasts an Art Gallery, meeting rooms of different sizes to accommodate most functions and an acclaimed bar-cafe.
If you are a frustrated actor or entertainer you will have the opportunity to look behind the scenes and maybe get on stage - you might even have the chance to try on some costumes!
In addition, Richard Blackburn of circlesquare will give an introduction to social media and social networking.
It looks like being a unique, fun evening and you will of course also have the opportunity to network with other members
Drink & Meet - La Farola 18 April
18 April 2011
Buzz Meeting - Blond McIndoe Research Centre
14 April 2011
In this their 50th Anniversary Year we are being given a rare opportunity to see their research facilities and to hear about the ground breaking research they do. Don’t worry about parking; it is free in the hospital after 1800. Wine and nibbles will be provided. Numbers will be limited to 40 – so make sure you book to avoid disappointment.
Drink & Meet - La Farola
28 March 2011
Another chance to network with local businesses in convivial surroundings. Relaxed atmosphere and just networking. A chance to meet new and old acquaintances, have a drink and discuss the future.
Buzz Meeting Chartham Park
15 March 2011
Another opportunity to visit a member’s premises and to hear about the services offered.A tour of the facilities will also be available for those interested and drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Michael Douglas from The Business Development Experience Ltd will give a short talk about “The Art of Networking”. You will of course have the opportunity to network with local business colleagues.
Drink & Meet - La Farola
21 February 2011
Due to the success of our recent Drink & Meet we are now holding the next one again at La Farola, on Monday 21st February. This is a chance to mingle and network with local business colleagues in an easy-going social atmosphere. From 6-8pm. Hope to see you there.
Buzz meeting and Race Day at Lingfield Park
2 February 2011
Something unique, something fun, and something quite different – if breakfast is too early; if after work is too late…then lunchtime is perfect!
Another great venue, another great opportunity to meet, enjoy lunch, and make more new contacts! And find out……what’s new? Well, the Lingfield Marriott is new!
Wednesday, 02 February 2011 at 12 o’clock. The EGBA will have its own private hospitality suite, overlooking the winning post!
12:00 Arrive for tea/coffee and mingle
12:30 Hotel and racecourse presentations
13:00 Light finger buffet lunch and a cash bar for beer, wine, and soft drinks
13:30 First Race! Your chance to have a little flutter! Races will be every half hour, with the last race at approximately 16:30. The cash bar will remain open, and there will be tea and coffee during the afternoon. Linger as long as you want.
Members and guests are welcome – this event is free of charge.
Hosted by Lingfield Marriott Hotel and Country Club, for the EGBA – we need to know numbers! It’s perfect for networking and perfect for a corporate afternoon – bring yourself, and bring your customers – you’re sure to impress with such an unusual invitation!
Please RSVP …and join the Buzz!
Sussex Enterprise breakfast
20 January 2011
Members of the EGBA have been invited to a free breakfast meeting at the Ashdown Park Hotel, starting at 07.30 (sit down at 08.00) and ending at 09.30. There will be two guest speakers plus "a few words" from the EGBA. The theme will be "Business Continuity and Risk assessment". For more details and to attend please contact Anne Peeks at anne.peeks@sussexenterprise.co.uk
Hallmark Showcase
15 January 2011
Hallmark Travel, in conjunction with your EGBA, is holding a showcase for local business, between 11.00 and 16.00with a special emphasis on travel, at the Meridian Hall. Come along to what should be an exciting day, bring the family - lots of prizes and surprises!
Meet a host of local businesses that help look after all the other important details of your holiday – airport transfers, health and beauty specialists, a photographer to keep your memories, a florist to help you ‘say it with flowers’. Learn to Salsa before you head to Spain, or try some wines from all around the world!.
These are all local businesses and they help to make your holiday.…just perfect!
Drink & Meet
10 January 2011
Come and join Kate, Caroll and Stuart, your team, at La Farola's tapas bar in East Grinstead for our first in a series of informal meetings for 2011. There is no need to confirm your attendance - just turn up after 1800, get yourself a drink and mingle and network.
Xmas Lunch
13 December 2010
The annual EGBA Xmas Lunch will this year be held at the Alexander House Hotel on Monday 13th December from 12-2pm.
We very much hope you and a guest will be able to attend and to join in the festivities. It will be a great occasion in superb surroundings and a fabulous way to start the Xmas celebrations.
Make sure you don't miss out and book your space as soon as possible - you just need to complete and return (with your payment) the booking form.
Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa Hotel
Turners Hill, East Grinstead
West Sussex RH10 4QD
Telephone: +44 (0)1342 714914
Fax: +44 (0)1342 717328
web:
Map:
AGM & Business Networking Event Martells
17 November 2010
AGM and pre Xmas Networking Event to be held at Martells in Queens Walk. An opportunity to hear what the EGBA have done this year, its plans for the future and to network with members and local businesses.
6-9pm. Refreshments will be available.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
Please confirm you attendance to: caroll.everest@egba.co.uk
Location: Martell's, Queen's Walk, off London Road
Car Parking in main car park behind Queen's Walk.
Networking Event - Made in East Grinstead
21 October 2010
Omicron are manufacturers of Scientific Instruments for Materials Research. We have been based in East Grinstead for 11 years producing the equipment that universities worldwide use to expand the boundaries of Materials Science.
The 21st of October is a rare chance to peer behind the closed doors of a high tech manufacturing company. You will be able to see for yourself how Omicron employs modern materials and methods to produce a world class 21st century product. The event starts at 6pm and after presentations by Omicron and the Bluebell Railway we will be offering guided tours of the Omicron Manufacturing Site. We expect the event to finish by 9pm.
Above all else this will be a great opportunity to network with ther members of the local business community in an unusual and interesting setting, Join us for a glass of wine and canapes.
Guest Speaker - Roger Kelly of the Bluebell Railway
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Catch up on Progress with the Bluebell Railway Northern Extension Project which will bring steam trains back into East Grinstead. Roger Kelly, Funding Director for the Bluebell Railway, will be joining us to bring us up to date and speak about what the Bluebell Railway coming to town will mean for Local Business. If you have been wondering how your business should respond to the arrival of Steam Trains in our town this could be a useful opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with one of the Bluebell Railway's key people.
When Where How ? - Oct 21st 6 to 9pm
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As the October (Thursday 21st) EGBA Buzz is being hosted on an active manufacturing site we have to limit the numbers of attendees to 40. If you would like to come along please send an email to caroll.everest@egba.co.uk. so that she can add your name to the guest list.
Omicron are based in units 1 & 6 of the Felbridge Centre which is located on The Birches Industrial Estate at the end of Willard Way. Turning in to The Birches from the mini roundabout on Imberhorne lane, Willard Way is the first turning on your right. Plenty of off street parking is available. The meeting will be hosted in Unit 1, but tours of the full facility including the extensive specialist Engineering workshop in unit 6 will be available throughout the evening.
Postal address: Omicron UHV Technik Ltd
1 The Felbridge Centre, Willard Way, East Grinstead
RH19 1XP [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf]
T: 01342 331000
Map [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf]
Networking Event - Jewellry Workshop
2 July 2010
Networking event at Jewellry Workshop. Alla re welcome. 6-9pm.
Network with colleagues.
Whats the Buzz - Networking Event
20 May 2010
A chance to meet, enjoy a drink or a coffee, and a snack.
Find out What’s New?
Well Meridian FM is new!
And the Community Centre is new!
Two powers to help promote and build your business, plus the opportunity to meet other local businesses, make new contacts and forge old ones too.
Members and guests are welcome – the event is free of charge.
Hosted by Hallmark Travel for the EGBA – East Grinstead Business Association.
For more details please email charmaine@hallmarktravel.com
Evening Meeting - EG Sports Club
16 March 2010
Networking and meeting with presentation. 6pm.
EG Sports Club. Speaker tba.
Meet & Eat - Nizam 2010
1 March 2010
Networking & evening meal.
6pm. £10 members/£15 non-members.
All are welcome.
Charity Event at Town Museum
16 February 2010
Evening charity event in aid of the East Grinstead Town Museum. Wine, nibbles and a presentation.
All are welcome to support this valuable local resource. 6pm.
Meet & Eat - Old Mill 2010
1 February 2010
Networking & Evening Meal. 6pm.
£10 members/£15 non-members.
Networking/Meeting - Felbridge Hotel
19 January 2010
Networking and presentation by John Jory, MSDC on running a District Council.
Meet & Eat - La Farola
4 January 2010
Networking and evening meal. 6pm.
£10 members; £15 non-members.
Xmas Lunch - Felbridge Hotel
15 December 2009
Xmas Lunch - Felbridge Hotel
End of the year celebration and opportunity to meet with colleagues and have christmas luncheon.
12-2pm. £28.00 .
AGM 2009
17 November 2009
This AGM took place on Tuesday 17th November at the Alexander House Hotel and was well attended with over forty members present. The first part of the meeting dealt with the formalities of an AGM, namely a review of the Association’s finances which are sound despite some exceptional expenses associated with the upgrading of our website, and the launching of the Loyalty Card initiative. We also discussed the appointment of new Executive Members in accordance with the constitution. The new membership of the Executive Committee and the three sectional Sub-Committees for 2010, as announced at the AGM, are available on this website under “current events”. The Chief Executive then presented a summary of the activities of the association over the last twelve months, which were presented under ten headings and took an hour to present. He then called for membership feedback on any or all of these activities, and for some guidance on where the membership want the association’s energies directed in 2010. This lead to a lively discussion and to some very clear directives for next year. The membership were clearly supportive on the progress achieved in 2009, and endorsed the initiatives with WSCC and MSDC which they saw as longer term, and an investment in creating productive relationships for the future. They clearly sought some shorter term goals for 2010, and some more tangible and measurable successes on the ground. The membership wanted EGBA to take a more positive role in seeking to maximise the benefits that could accrue from the arrival of the Bluebell Railway next year. This they felt was much too important a potential benefit for retailers in particular, but for businesses in general, for the business community not to be taking a leading role. Clearly there are many dimensions to this, and several were aired including: · some means of convenient and quick transport from the station to the London Road and the High Street. · a structured promotional campaign to advertise the attractions of the town to potential visitors. · input to the decisions on station design to ensure it is in keeping with its historical context. · a positive impact on visitors as they exit the station - forecourt layout with clear and informative directions. There was also a view expressed that the EGBA could do more to generate a culture of “keeping it local” whereby all local businesses as well as residents automatically attempt to source their needs locally before taking their enquiries further afield. A suggestion was made that a local directory that included all local service providers and contractors as well as retailers and suppliers would assist in this. On the current structure of networking events the members indicated that it was not easy to attend lunchtime events and that early evening events suited most members very much better. There was a view that a fewer number of more structured evening events would be more effective, attracting a larger attendance and with an introductory speaker. Also that the current “Eat and Greet” evenings might benefit from lengthening the initial networking period over drinks to an hour, before those that want to eat sit down. On the Loyalty Card initiative members felt that the degree of success it had achieved needed to be maintained and constantly renewed, otherwise it could lose its effectiveness rather quickly. The committee members explained that the amount of effort and education that it had required in the first place had taken them all by surprise, and keeping retailers’ offers updated and the presentation material in all the outlets visible required volunteers who can give their time. These were in short supply. There was a request as to whether the Association’s membership data base could be made available to members, and it was pointed out that the Association had a policy of confidentiality as regards members’ details, particularly where it might involve commercial interests. There is a possibility that once the website has a section exclusive to members, than the Committee will consider whether the membership database could be made available to be viewed by members only.
Meet & Eat - New Evergreen, Chinese
2 November 2009
Networking & Evening Meal.
£10 members/£15 non-members.
All are welcome.
Meet & Eat - Old Mill
5 October 2009
Networking & Evening meal. 6pm.
£10 members/£15 non-members.
All are welcome.
Evening Meeting/Networking
15 September 2009
Ashdown Park Hotel 6-9pm. Free Entry.
6.00pm registration/network
6.30-7.30 - Dee Blick, of Marketing Gym will give a presentation on:
Seven Powerful Marketing Secrets for Small Business Success
West Sussex-based Dee Blick is an award winning Chartered Marketer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing with 25 years hands-on marketing experience working with SMEs.
Dee has recently featured on the BBC and radio as a marketing entrepreneur. She writes for many local and national magazines and newspapers on her favourite subject - marketing on a shoestring for small businesses and is an active blogger and twitterer. Dee has recently written her first book. ‘Powerful Marketing On A Shoestring Budget For Small Businesses’ which is now selling worldwide to excellent reader reviews. Two weeks ago it reached the position of 23 in Amazon's 100 bestselling business books in the hotly contested business finance category. (Richard Branson's book is number one!)
Bring a pad and a pen because in this informal 30 minute Masterclass (plus 15 minutes set aside for questions afterwards) Dee will share 7 powerful and proven marketing tips that you can apply to your business at little or no cost. She will also explain what led her to write a book in addition to running her full-time business and the impact it has had both locally and nationally. (In the last few weeks Dee has been interviewed by the Financial Times and the Financial Mail on Sunday and has now been approached by a national publishing group)
At the event you can also buy a signed first edition copy of Dee’s book (£13.99) and chat to her informally afterwards. In the meantime, find out more about Dee’s business on her website www.themarketinggym.org or simply by googling her.
July Executive Committee Meeting
9 July 2009
Issues taken forward at the meeting on 7th July included:
Car Parking: the fall-off in car park usage since the 40% uplift in parking charges in April combined with the severe impact of the recession is seriously hurting retail business in the town, and the Retail Section asked for matters to be taken up with MSDC ahead of next year. It was agreed to approach Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath business associations to understand if these concerns were shared by them, and if so to agree a common approach towards finding a way of working with the Council to improve things.
Loyalty Card: final planning for the launch of the Loyalty Card scheme was discussed and a programme was agreed for the launch to take place on Monday 27th July. This is an initiative co-sponsored with the Association by the Town Council and the Observer newspaper and is a real part of our Mayor, Councillor Lee Marmara’s theme for his year in office.
Events Programme: planning for the programme from October to March was further advanced and the new Events Folder is scheduled to be distributed in early September. A black tie charity event is hoped to be a new inclusion in the programme.
Traffic Congestion: the Association is seeking dialogue with the County Council in an attempt to work towards finding an alternative solution now that the “relief road” option, funded by a strategic housing development is no longer a viable option
EGBA Inaugural Exhibition
24 June 2009
With over 30 exhibitors, 7 seminars and an official opening by the Mayor, this event would appear to have been quite a success. At least the exhibitors seemed to think so, and all reported that they had done good business, made useful contacts, were very pleased with how it went for them, and hoped we would repeat the event again next year.
\there was a real mix of businesses represented including financial services and IT, representatives from the business parks, hotels and venues, and some retail. With the seminars spanning the day with a variety of topics from general interest items like “revitalisation of the town centre” to serious business issues such as “mediation” or “business survival strategies” – there was something happening all day.
The footfall kept the halls active, and the Executive Committee has quickly decided that we have learned enough to do the same thing again next year, but perhaps a little better and a little bigger.

