Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries will host the Amazon Academy on October 3, as part of this year’s Dumfries and Galloway Business Week.
It will be a chance for small businesses and rural entrepreneurs to access free practical advice on growing their businesses online and get the skills they need to compete in a constantly growing digital economy.
Allan McNaught, of Business Gateway Dumfries and Galloway, said: “Because we are such a wide geographic region, for people to really the make the most of it they have to sell online. It does not have to be with Amazon as there are lots of marketplaces, but they need to become digital, take that step and have the chance to export worldwide and get more reach into the marketplace. Amazon are the experts and they will be giving tips and advice on the day.”
The showcase presentation will also reveal ways to boost productivity, grow revenue and export sales and will be followed by a question and answer session on online selling. Then, there will be the chance to access support and advice from dozens of exhibitors and Business Gateway advisors. Allan added: “We are targeting everybody for this event, even if you are an international, large business you will learn something that you do not already know. This is a unique opportunity for this region to hear from the best of the best. “
The business week theme this year is #DGmeansbusiness and we are serious about helping you achieve your aims and objectives and you do not get much bigger than having the chance to hear from Amazon.”
Dumfries is the first stop in Scotland for the Amazon Academy, after a survey found that unlocking the digital potential of rural areas in Scotland could add between £1.2bn and £2.5bn annually in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Scotland’s rural economy, and at least £1.44bn in rural business turnover.
Doug Gurr, UK country manager for Amazon, said: “We know that Scotland has huge potential to grow its rural economy through digital, and hope that this programme will inspire more businesses in rural areas to embrace e-commerce.”
Places should be booked in advance online at www.dgbusinessweek.com.
