30 July 2008

For immediate release

Birmingham to host the fifth year of VOICE, the UK conference for social enterprise in February 2009.

Voice, the largest UK conference for social enterprise will mark its fifth anniversary in Birmingham with the support of Advantage West Midlands and the Birmingham City Council at the International Conference Centre from 10th to 11th February 2009, the Social Enterprise Coalition announced.

Social enterprises are profit-making businesses set up to tackle social or environmental issues and the Social Enterprise Coalition is the national body for social enterprise.

This year more than 1,000 people are expected to attend Voice, the definitive annual social enterprise conference for the UK.

Voice has grown considerably over the past five years and each year attracts more and more leaders from social enterprises, the Government, financial institutions, business support providers and others who are involved and engaged with the social enterprise movement.

The programme for 2009 is shaping up to be the best and most interactive yet - consisting of influential speakers, exciting workshops, thought-provoking debates, and plenty of opportunities for networking.

Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition said: "We are delighted to be bringing Voice to Birmingham for the first time and in particular to the International Conference Centre.

This venue will give us the opportunity to take advantage of the huge interest there is already in Voice09." Marie Greer, Director of Sustainable Communities at Advantage West Midlands, said: "Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in the country and we are delighted that the city has been selected to stage Voice 09.

"The West Midlands is an ideal location given the diversity of the region's population and sectors in which social enterprises operate and the work starts now to ensure the event is a success."

Councillor Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "We are delighted to hear that SEC's national conference will be held in Birmingham and look forward to welcoming delegates to the city.

"I am sure they will receive a warm welcome and will take full advantage of all the city has to offer to the visitor."
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NOTES TO EDITORS • Advantage West Midlands and Birmingham City Council are two key sponsors of Voice09.

• For any queries, please contact Caroline Borge, Senior Press Officer at the Social Enterprise Coalition at caroline.borge@socialenterprise.org.uk or at 020 7793 2318.
• Well known examples include The Big Issue, Divine Chocolate and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, but there are many other social enterprises operating in a wide range of industries from farmers markets and recycling companies to transport and childcare providers.
• According to Government data released in 2006, there are 55,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of £27billion per year. Social enterprises account for 5% of all businesses with employees and contribute £8.4billion per year to the UK economy - almost 1% of annual GDP.
• The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise. As the voice for the sector, the Coalition provides a platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise while supporting and representing the work of its varied members, influencing national policy and promoting best practice. www.socialenterprise.org.uk

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