Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce Cumberland Council as the first confirmed sponsor for Conference Cumbria 2026, marking an exciting milestone as planning begins for one of the region’s flagship business events.
Taking place on Thursday 1 October 2026 at the Pencil Factory in Keswick, Conference Cumbria will once again bring together hundreds of business leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers from across the county.
With an ambition to welcome up to 350 attendees, this year’s event is set to build on the success of previous years and continue its growth as a key date in the Cumbrian business calendar.
A confident step forward for 2026
This year’s theme, “Be Bold. Be Courageous.”, will explore what it takes for organisations to move forward with confidence in an increasingly uncertain and fast-changing world.
While the full programme is still being developed, the day will focus on inspiring new thinking, sharing practical insight and creating meaningful connections between businesses.
A strong partnership from the outset
The early commitment from Cumberland Council highlights the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting Cumbria’s business community.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting one of our area’s flagship business events. It reflects our shared commitment to supporting business growth, innovation and resilience across Cumbria.
“We encourage businesses to sign up and get involved.”
Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said:
“Thanks to Cumberland Council for their ongoing support of Conference Cumbria. They have sponsored the conference since its inception four years ago demonstrating their real commitment to their local business community and the wider work of the Chamber. We hope this will be first of many sponsor announcements, making this the biggest year yet!”
Headline speaker confirmed
The conference will be headlined by Sir Clive Woodward, whose experience in building high-performing teams and leading through change has made him one of the most sought-after speakers in both sport and business.
His keynote will form a central part of the day, offering valuable perspective on leadership, performance and long-term success.
Opportunities for sponsors and partners
With the first sponsor now confirmed and strong early interest, a limited number of sponsorship opportunities and tickets remain available.
Conference Cumbria offers a powerful platform for organisations to:
- Raise their profile with a high-value business audience
- Align with one of the region’s most prominent events
- Build relationships with decision-makers across Cumbria
Businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to explore opportunities early. If you’re interested, please email Lesley Robinson at lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk.
Be part of it
Conference Cumbria continues to grow year on year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another standout event.
With strong early interest and limited capacity, businesses are encouraged to secure their place now and be part of a day focused on bold thinking, fresh perspectives and valuable connections.
Book your place today: https://my.cumbriachamber.co.uk/calendar_detail.html?eid=24BEADA1-6660-482C-AF30-FB8ECA3139F1
