ConnectUp 2025

Running a business is hard, right?  It’s way easier when you’re not alone. Find your place in a community of totally amazing small business owners across the North.

Northern Affinity

Bringing Northern business owners together to be powered by community

The Knowledge Exchange, The Rose Bowl

Fringe gathering: June 25th 6:30pm, evening rooftop drinks @Leeds Beckett University School of ArtsConnectUp: June 26, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM <h3>If you're craving real connection that helps you grow (and not just a stack of business cards), then this one’s for you.</h3>We all know the usual “networking” thing can feel... well, awks. So let’s do it differently.ConnectUp is the event created for owners and founders of northern-based businesses who are done with surface-level chit chat and want to find actual community; the kind that lifts you up, challenges your thinking, and helps you grow in more ways than one.Yes, we’ve got expert speakers and panels. Yes, there’s networking. But this isn’t a box-ticking day - it’s a full-on exploration of people, relationships, and how the different ways we connect can drive our businesses forward. <h4>What’s on:</h4>- 9 fab speakers sharing how you can grow your business when you're hanging out with the right people- 4 panel discussions digging into what growth by community really looks like- 2 networking sessions that show you how fun networking really can be- An exhibition showcasing amazing northern-based businessesWe’re also using the day to show that not all connection looks the same.Some people thrive in online groups. Others in co-working get-togethers, accountability peer groups, mentoring circles, super-structured meetings or informal gatherings over coffee and cake.And that’s kind of the point.Different ways of getting together serve different purposes. ConnectUp is your chance to explore, find what works for you, and meet the people already making it happen.And of course, this is the North.So expect warmth, grit, big ideas, good biscuits, and a room full of talent from Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Hull, Newcastle and beyond.This is your space to:- Meet people who actually get what you do- Seek out new and exciting ways to collaborate- Feel inspired, supported and a little less “on your own”Tickets are live. Come and discover how community can make you and your business grow faster and better.This is about real connection - the kind that sticks.See you there!

Agenda

Head on in and register at the reception desk in the atrium on the ground floor. Please use the entrance at the back of the building facing Civic Hall.
The car parks are NOT on the same floor as the entrance (the front entrance facing Woodhouse Lane is closed outside term time) so if you require a lift rather than using stairs, use the underground car park that you can enter from Portland Crescent.

Arrivals, registrations and brews ?

Let's get the day OFFICIALLY started!

Speakers and panels

Open networking and lunch

Speakers

In The (Mega!)Mix - networking, but not as you know it!

Panel discussions

You light up my life?Closing Ceremony

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

ConnectUp 2025

More events from Northern Affinity

Discover more events from Northern Affinity, from Business to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Leeds and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

ConnectUp 2025

More events from Northern Affinity

Discover more events from Northern Affinity, from Business to other experiences you might love.

More Business events

Browse more Business events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Leeds and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.