january, 2026
It is important to be prepared for Exhibitions and Meet the Buyer events as you have a very short window of opportunity to make a great impression and take your
It is important to be prepared for Exhibitions and Meet the Buyer events as you have a very short window of opportunity to make a great impression and take your discussion to the next stage.
Grow your business and maximise sales and leads from up and coming exhibitions and one to one Meet the Buyer events.
This session will show you how to do it well, plan ahead and give yourself the best chance of success and a proper return on your investment in time and money.
This session lets you plan your stand, to attract customers and show off what you have to offer!! This session splits into 2 parts:
The exhibition session will show you how to:
The Meet the Buyer section will include:
It is practical, fun and led by a tutor who works at shows every year.
To book a place, click here.
(Friday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
14jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Workshop - Market Planning - Kick Start the New Year
Set yourself up for success in the new year with our comprehensive workshop on market planning. This session will provide you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to
Set yourself up for success in the new year with our comprehensive workshop on market planning. This session will provide you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to plan the year ahead.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a marketing professional, or part of a small business team, this workshop will equip you with actionable steps to make your marketing efforts more focused and impactful.
Learn:
To book a place, click here.
(Wednesday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ingram Enterprise Centre - Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
30 John Finnie Street
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
15jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Workshop - How to Handle Difficult Conversations
Dealing with difficult conversations can be so time consuming. Dealing with difficult conversations can be so time consuming. Attend the Business Gateway session with Arena HR and devise a strategy to
Dealing with difficult conversations can be so time consuming.
Dealing with difficult conversations can be so time consuming. Attend the Business Gateway session with Arena HR and devise a strategy to allow you to handle difficult conversations effectively and get a solution quickly. This allows you to get back to doing your job well and increase the harmony in the workplace.
To book a place, click here.
(Thursday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cunninghame House
Cunninghame House, North Ayrshire Council, Irvine KA12 8EE
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
20jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Webinar - Practical Social Media - TikTok
Harness the power of TikTok for your business and learn practical techniques to create engaging content and grow your audience. TikTok isn't just for dance trends and lip-synching videos; it offers
Harness the power of TikTok for your business and learn practical techniques to create engaging content and grow your audience.
TikTok isn’t just for dance trends and lip-synching videos; it offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with your customers and increase your business’s online reach. In this hands-on workshop, learn how to create bitesize video content for more effective business communication on one of the most popular social media platforms.
We will cover:
Join us for this interactive workshop and leave with practical skills and knowledge to boost your business’s presence on TikTok.
To book a place, click here.
(Tuesday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
21jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Webinar - Business Planning & Cash Flow
Both start up and growing business will require a business plan for getting a loan, grant or just to consider the direction they wish to go in. This workshop will: Provide
Both start up and growing business will require a business plan for getting a loan, grant or just to consider the direction they wish to go in.
This workshop will:
To book a place, click here.
(Wednesday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
21jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Webinar - Employment Law Checklist
In this webinar we will provide an overview of the legal obligations business owners have when they employ people. We will look at the following in detail: Who is covered by
In this webinar we will provide an overview of the legal obligations business owners have when they employ people.
We will look at the following in detail:
To book a place, click here.
(Wednesday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
This webinar will simplify all the 'tech talk' and show you which types of 'Keywords' you should use and when, to really maximise your Search Engine Optimisation efforts. Everywhere you turn,
This webinar will simplify all the ‘tech talk’ and show you which types of ‘Keywords’ you should use and when, to really maximise your Search Engine Optimisation efforts.
Everywhere you turn, digital marketers are talking about the importance of keywords and although most of us are aware of the importance that keyword research plays in Search Engine Optimisation, not may of us are aware of how to identify the right keywords that will bring in the right traffic.
There are 9 types of keywords and different types should be used to target different audiences at each stage of the customer journey, in order to reach a broader range of people and increase your chances of securing a customer.
You will leave with an understanding of:
3. Which keywords are more competitive and why.
4. Where to put your keywords and how many to use.
5. How to write your content based around the keywords you choose.
6. How to identify the keywords that your site is already ranking for and how to get quick wins to increase search traffic.
7. How to measure your keyword optimisation efforts.
8. The cost of keywords should you choose to advertise.
To book a place, click here.
(Thursday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
23jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Webinar - Managing your Day-to-Day Business Finances
This webinar is aimed at individuals who are looking at ensuring they are considering all aspects of how they should be managing the financial aspects of their business on a
This webinar is aimed at individuals who are looking at ensuring they are considering all aspects of how they should be managing the financial aspects of their business on a day to day basis.
Delegates will learn about the key aspects of financially running a business, keeping on top of the day to day activities, developing profit and ensuring they know how to manage their financials. The workshop will also discuss the variety of accounting packages available and if your business should be using them.
The aim of this session is:
To book a place, click here.
(Friday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
26jan1:30 pm4:00 pmBusiness Gateway Workshop - Social Media Masterclass for Business Success in 2026
Join us for a practical workshop discussing all things social media, as we examine the way tools like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can help (and hinder) your business objectives. Social Media
Join us for a practical workshop discussing all things social media, as we examine the way tools like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can help (and hinder) your business objectives.
Social Media is much more than just a promotional tool. Used effectively, you can truly engage and influence your target market audience and achieve better business objectives. Used wrongly, and you’re likely just wasting your time hoping for some vanity likes.
This session aims to ensure you remain ‘business focused’ with your own usage of social media and will cover:
There will also be plenty of time for questions, and some live audits of attendee social media profiles (with advice and recommendations given).
To book a place, click here.
(Monday) 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Ingram Enterprise Centre - Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
30 John Finnie Street
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
27jan2:00 pm4:00 pmBusiness Gateway Workshop - Start Up Your Business
This workshop is a series aimed at people who are planning to start or have just started a business and need to know the basics of what to do. Whatever your
This workshop is a series aimed at people who are planning to start or have just started a business and need to know the basics of what to do.
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, Business Gateway is here to support you and this workshop will help you decide if this is the right path for you. We will explore your potential customers, the problems your business can solve for them and how you can do that better than the competition. Once that is clear, we will look at the key activities and costs involved in starting and running the business and tools for determining the commercial viability before considering the main options for business structures (sole trader, partnership, or limited company).
We will look at:
Attendees will be provided with a PDF copy of the slides and a workbook to complete. We will also signpost you to Business Gateway’s Planning to Start tool which will then direct you to further resources and your local Business Gateway adviser.
To book a place, click here.
(Tuesday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ingram Enterprise Centre - Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
30 John Finnie Street
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
Increase your chances of online success by better understanding how to plan and curate good content, schedule it using a social media dashboard, and improve efficiency through simple automation. Businesses who
Increase your chances of online success by better understanding how to plan and curate good content, schedule it using a social media dashboard, and improve efficiency through simple automation.
Businesses who plan their content in advance, aligning all channels with actual business objectives, customer themes and national events, and then schedule it to ensure it reaches the target market at the right time, on the right platform – hugely increase the chances of achieving impact.
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
Having great content is just the start. We will help you better organise and setup your content strategy through simple planning and effective scheduling, to achieve great business results.
To book a place, click here.
(Wednesday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ingram Enterprise Centre - Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
30 John Finnie Street
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
29jan10:00 am12:00 pmBusiness Gateway Webinar - How Can I Improve my Business' Online Presence
Your business is judged on what customers see and how they feel when they visit you online. This session will help you ensure their first impression is a good one. You
Your business is judged on what customers see and how they feel when they visit you online. This session will help you ensure their first impression is a good one.
You will learn how to:
To book a place, click here.
(Thursday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
30jan12:00 pm2:00 pmBusiness Gateway Networking Event
An opportunity for new & existing Ayrshire businesses to meet with Business Gateway & each other. Join us for an in-person networking event! You'll hear from our advisers, be surrounded by
An opportunity for new & existing Ayrshire businesses to meet with Business Gateway & each other.
Join us for an in-person networking event! You’ll hear from our advisers, be surrounded by local business owners and our team will be on hand to offer advice or answer any questions.
Meet, connect, and collaborate with fellow business owners, meet our business advisers, and book a free 1-2-1 surgery session with an adviser, tailored to YOUR business.
Bring your business cards! There will be the opportunity to introduce your business and take part in a 1-minute speed pitch!
There will be complimentary refreshments for you to enjoy as you network.
To book a place, click here.
(Friday) 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Business Gateway Ayr - Wallace Tower
Business Gateway Ayr, Wallace Tower, 178 High Street, Ayr KA7 1PZ
Lynsey Garrick01563 576481 Ingram Enterprise Centre, 30 John Finnie Street Kilmarnock KA1 1DD
Keep up-to-date with the latest events and upcoming workshops with our event calendar.
Hear for yourself some success stories from East Ayrshire businesses, and discover why they thrive here.
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