The Newcastle-under-Lyme business festival is set to return this year over five days in March.

Registration for The Shaping the Future Business Festival, which is supported by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is now open.

The festival attracted 300 attendees when it first took place in 2025, and organisers Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council, in collaboration with PH Production Services, are now keen to build on last year's success.

Pete Herbert Managing Director of PH Productions said: "The 2025 Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival attracted businesses of all sizes and sectors who came together.

"Last year we delivered 25 interactive and educational workshops and there is going to be more on offer for 2026's festival with seminars covering various themes from business growth and innovation, along with panel discussions focused on the creative and industries.

"We have also got some fantastic keynote speakers lined up and we cannot wait to announce more with everyone soon. It's going to be a jam-packed festival."

The opening day on Monday 16 March, will focus on Employment and Entrepreneurs.

Keele University, partners of the business festival for a second year, will host an Innovation and Sustainability all-day event followed by a Business and Networking day at Newcastle-under-Lyme Boulevard in the town centre on Wednesday 18 March.

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Co-owner and chair of Port Vale Football Club - Carol Shanahan OBE will open the Women in Business-themed event on the fourth day of the festival - Thursday 19 March - which will be hosted by Sonya Farrall of BabaBaboon for the second year in a row.

She will be discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with life as a football club owner, as well as the award-winning community work she is involved in through the club's charitable arm - the Port Vale Foundation. 

The festival will conclude on Friday 20 March, with a Creative and Digital Industries Day.

Managing Director of Valentine Clays Hannah Ault, is featuring as a speaker for 2026, along with David Beech (Knights), Steve Timmis of Sempar (Accountancy and Tax), Jonathan Lawton (Hixon Group), Alistair Machin (Chaffinch), Sud Basu (Outdoor Arts), Nicky Bartley (Thrive and Shine) and Usman Shah (Abzorbed IT).

Registration is required for people to attend the festival and business exhibitors are also being sought to have stands throughout the week at the various venues. 

"There are several options available for organisations to come and showcase themselves at our events throughout the week, and for the first time the festival will have it's very own dedicated mobile app," adds Pete.

"Exhibiting is a great way to directly engage with the hundreds of businesses and professionals who are expected to attend the festival once again.

"Registration is also required to attend and can be done via our website where there we will also be information regarding times, venues, parking facilities and plans for the week. We cannot wait to welcome hundreds more businesses for 2026."

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The Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival takes place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 March 2026.

For more information about exhibiting and registration, visit the Shaping the Future website here.