At a Glance
- Southend Business Show 2026 brought together over 100 local businesses.
- Events foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and future partnerships.
- Essex Day on 26 October celebrates local business achievements and heritage.
- Upcoming Festival of Business on 11 November to support regional enterprise and growth.
Following a record-breaking summer, the busy atmosphere in Southend demonstrated the strong appetite for greater collaboration across the city. By connecting people who might not otherwise meet, the Southend Business Show encouraged knowledge exchange, investment and future partnerships. Its successful launch showed the value of a citywide business showcase and provided a strong foundation for future events supporting enterprise, innovation and inclusive growth across Southend-on-Sea.
Celebrating Essex Business Success
We expect to welcome many Southend businesses and visitors to the Chambers’ Festival of Business on 11 November at Braxted Park. We will also be celebrating the achievements of Essex businesses on Essex Day. Though not widely known, this anniversary—26 October—commemorates the death of St Cedd, the patron saint of Essex, in the year 664. We will use this occasion to bring together businesses, Essex MPs and others in parliament to showcase what Essex delivers for the UK economy, and to discuss what more it could achieve with additional government support and devolved powers through devolution to a Mayor and a new strategic authority within the next two years.
A Milestone for Business
Southend Business Show 2026 marked an important milestone for the city’s business community. This inaugural event brought together more than 100 businesses from Southend and surrounding areas. Organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Economic Development team, it created a welcoming platform for companies, entrepreneurs, residents and support organisations to meet, share ideas and discover new opportunities.
The show featured a lively marketplace of local products and services, alongside networking, workshops and practical business guidance. Exhibitors represented the breadth of Southend’s economy, including construction, professional services, manufacturing, marketing and medical technology. Attendees were able to make useful contacts, explore local supply chains and learn more about skills, training and employment support.
Discover more information and book your exhibition stand or free visitor place at: www.essexchambers.co.uk/festivalofbusiness