Taking place ahead of Staffordshire Day which falls on Sunday May 1, the marketplace event featured over 20 businesses from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. It provided businesses with an opportunity to raise their profile by showcasing their success and why Staffordshire is a great place to do business, work, learn and visit to ministers, Lords and MPs from all parties.

Businesses were supported by Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White and deputy leader Philip White, the Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Theo Clarke MP and business leaders.

The event was organised by We are Staffordshire – a partnership of business, education and public sector organisations promoting and marketing the county and city. It aims to showcase Staffordshire both nationally and internationally – attracting residents, visitors, businesses and investment.

New initiatives, developments and success stories were presented by the people making them happen. Delegates were able to create relationships benefiting themselves and the Staffordshire economy and help to put the county on the map with national leaders.

Businesses ranged from the county’s flagship manufacturers and attractions to small enterprises making their mark. They were joined by both Staffordshire University and the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) which recently received £13m government funding for a new institute of technology building.

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said: “The House of Commons Staffordshire Day event has given us the opportunity to showcase the county’s business success stories to national leaders.

“The annual Staffordshire Day is a great celebration of what we have to offer and to tell our story nationally and internationally. The House of Commons event was important as it gives us the reach and ability to influence those who ultimately make decisions on future funding and investment.

“It was great to be joined by a diverse group of businesses – both in terms of size and sector – which really demonstrates the breadth of the Staffordshire economy and its balance between rural and urban areas.

“In addition, Staffordshire University presented on how it continues to impact Staffordshire and the UK as world-leading research and knowledge organisation that sits proudly in its community.”

Karen Bradley MP said: “This event will further establish our county as a place for enterprise and growth to colleagues from across the country.

“We’re proud to have been able to promote traditional industries which use both established methods and new, low carbon technology along with cutting edge medical and tech-sector companies. And our universities are global leaders in research and development, producing highly-skilled graduates – many of whom remain in the county and contribute to its growing economy.

“It’s great that we could mark Staffordshire Day in this way and help to put us firmly on the map.”

Kate Macnamara, Molson Coors Corporate Affairs Director Western Europe, said: “We’re pleased to have taken part in the House of Commons celebration of Staffordshire and all that the county has to offer. We’re proud to be one of the region’s biggest employers with our Western European HQ and our largest brewery in the UK based in the great brewing town of Burton-on-Trent.”

We are Staffordshire includes a free-to-join Ambassador Network, where advocates of the county from a range of sectors can support Staffordshire’s promotion to national and international audiences as well as attending a programme of complimentary networking and thought leadership events.

Find out more www.wearestaffordshire.co.uk/get-involved