Due to covid-19, it’s been two years since the last winners event took place in Birmingham.
When this event was announced in October 2021 I was the nervous excitment that started to set in. I was going to be attending but how will everything work etc.
Nerves settled, hotel booked, train tickets and some organisation about pre/post event meals with fellow winners.
The Journey
As with most things there is a beginning and for me, it’s a relaxed journey from Stockport (all be it a windy and snowy one this year). Coffee, danish and some music and I’m in the mood.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Train-Journey-Selfie-e1646129260701-769x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cross-Country-Stockport-to-Birmigham-1024x768.jpg)
Arriving in Birmingham
It’s been two years and wasn’t expecting much to be different, Birmingham as a city is always busy and a nice place to visit.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Birmigham-New-Street-Train-Station-1024x768.jpg)
My usual routine was to get lunch at fellow #SBS winner Centenary Lounge at Moor Street Station then check into the hotel.
It was really busy, so was a bite and go and decided to head to the hotel, which in hindsight ended up being a very good idea.
This is my ninth event and throughout that time I was busy pre-event talking to winners and didn’t really unwind for two days. So decided to have a me afternoon.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dylan-Moore-ICC-Selfie-SBS-e1646129841594-769x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Malt-House-Birmingham-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Black-Sabbath-Bridge-Birmingham-1024x768.jpg)
Pre event #SBS meet-up
Two years and a lot of catching up with fellow winners, we loved Siamais when we visited in 2020 and had to come back.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBS-winner-meet-up-Siamais-1024x768.jpg)
Was great to catch up with Charms By Joanna, Kate O’Brien Art, Evans Excavation, Fab Fudge, Good Food & Wine Company, Michelle Lestasand Bobbi London.
Was great to see Street’s Craft Creations there too.
#SBSEvent2022 day
One thing I like about where I stay for the events is the breakfast, gets me ready for the day ahead.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Premier-Inn-Breakfast-Birmingham-1024x768.jpg)
Then get myself ready for the day.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dylan-Moore-SBS-Selfie-e1646131139952-768x1024.jpg)
Must also thank #SBS winner Andrew J Musson Ltd. for the tie, it’s a great tie.
Got myself to ICC Birmingham and managed to spot some winners, such as A Toast in the Post, Kate O’Brien Art, Evans Excavation. Venue checked our Lateral Flow Test texts/emails and we went up for registration.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dylan-Moore-arrival-at-SBSEvent2022-e1646131512311-769x1024.jpg)
I was wanting to speak to one of the sponsors straight away and made my way to see Autumn Fair / Spring Fair and was pleased with the outcome of the conversation, so will be putting myself forward when #SBS winners are able to apply for Spring Fair.
Then the fun began, the arrival of Kypros Kyprianou CEO of Theo Paphitis Retail Group.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Kypos-1024x768.jpg)
Started off by introducing the sponsors and outlining what the day had in store.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Kypros-Day-Part-1-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Kypros-Day-Part-2-1024x768.jpg)
Then Kypros introduced Theo…
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Theo-Paphitis-1024x768.jpg)
Gave winners some interesting news about the split in winners.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Winner-Split-1024x768.jpg)
Theo put a challenge to winners. We were asked to stand up and stay standing depending on how many years we’d been attending events. As you can imagine I was one of the few still standing at 9 years, the winners included Virtual Business Services, Wine Glass Charms, Jude Turner Creative (Jessie Jumbles) to name a few.
Theo then introduced the first speaker Rachel Watkyn.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Tiny-Box-Company-1024x768.jpg)
Proof that from small beginnings amazing things can happen!
After the comfort break there was a fantastic presentation from Debbie Lewis, NatWest.
Then lunch and chance to catch up with fellow winners, this had two advantages. Networking and a group photo with fellow Stockport #SBS winners.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Lunch-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Stockport-SBS-1024x768.jpg)
Managed to have a catch-up Faux Evermore, Club Hub UK, Kokokelli, Ayegardening and have a chat with Flutterbee Me Events, Lawn Master Nottingham.
Then it was onto the Fireside Chat with Theo Paphitis and Touken Suleyman
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Touker-01-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SBSEvent2022-Touker-02-1024x768.jpg)
Whilst new winners had the chance to get their certificate and have their photo taken with Theo Paphitis, older winners were able to network more and have conversations with sponsors.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Scarlet-Impressions-SBS-winner-473x1024.jpg)
Post event #SBS meet-up
Time to unwind, on the Thursday a group of us did a walk about near the ICC to see what had changed and was available post #SBSEvent2022.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Post-SBSEvent2022-Las-Iguanas-Bar-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Post-SBSEvent2022-Las-Iguanas-Beer-e1646139243687-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Post-SBSEvent2022-Las-Iguanas-Chilli-1024x768.jpg)
We had a gentle walk back to the hotel, it’s a long day so fresh air was good and came across this lovely area.
![](https://www.aquadesigngroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Post-SBSEvent2022-Light-Trees-e1646139399193-768x1024.jpg)
I’ve said this to many winners in the past. You gain the benefit of attending as many events as you can. See you at Theo Paphitis #SBS #SBSEvent2023.
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