eCommerce Success at eBay Business Roadshow

Roadshow support for local entrepreneurs

Since the launch of the eBay Business Roadshow, which was created in partnership with Small Business Britain and the British Chambers of Commerce, entrepreneurs have been able to tap into support, grants and advice to help them scale on the online marketplace.

The one-day Belfast roadshow offered entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage with industry experts and explore the latest tools and strategies for growing their online businesses globally.

Neeti Awasthi, Director of Small Business at eBay said,

We host events  like this for small medium business sellers across cities and towns in the UK. This is an opportunity for us to come to these communities where our sellers are and learn about their successes and challenges and also help connect them with other sellers within their community.

Space for businesses to thrive

This one-of-a-kind event, which returned to Belfast for its third consecutive year, utilised the spaces at ICC Belfast to deliver a packed agenda. Sessions included tips on how to start and scale on eBay and sustainability basics for small businesses.

Working closely with the event organiser, Avant Garde Events, the team at ICC Belfast created a bespoke room layout which accommodated both theatre-style keynote addresses and an exhibition area with space for casual, open-plan meetings. Hall 2’s flexible layout was ideal for this, allowing the area to be subdivided and enabling delegates to move seamlessly between sections via the shared foyer and walkway.

Hall 2A was set up for a series of educational sessions with eBay’s successful sellers taking to the stage for a number of panel discussions which allowed them to share their tips and tricks for growth.

Chrissy O’Hare, Owner of Jello Thrifts, commented on his experience:

Meeting one on one with the representatives from eBay I was actually able to look at the back end of my eBay account and we were able to see things that I am doing right and we talked about developing a strategy so I can grow even more into the future.

On Level 3, the Meeting Rooms were configured in a classroom style, facilitating one-on-one mentoring sessions with eBay ambassadors to support sellers' growth in a collaborative and private setting.

The positioning of Bar 2 was also utilised as an extension of Hall 2, providing a networking space as well as an area for lunch and after-event drinks that delegates were delighted to take advantage of. Against the backdrop of Belfast, conversations and connections were made in a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

Corporate events with a difference

The UK events industry ranks among the largest and most diverse sectors worldwide, with an annual value of £18.8 billion annually. Notably, the corporate market represents a significant opportunity for business events, contributing over a quarter of the industry's total revenue. The team at ICC Belfast are proud to host corporate events with a difference, creating unforgettable experiences for delegates.

Ciarán McManus, Corporate Account Manager at ICC Belfast said:

The corporate market across the UK & Ireland is quite unique and I love working with clients like eBay who have a local presence with a global reach... It’s clear that this event is all about giving local businesses the chance to learn something new, to meet someone new and give them access to a team that will help elevate their business to the next level.

Since the launch of the Business Roadshow the team at eBay have visited many towns and cities and met thousands of sellers across the UK. The success of the recent event at ICC Belfast clearly indicates that this won't be the last time the online retailer visits Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built convention centre.

Neeti Awasthi, Director of Small Business at eBay said:

ICC Belfast is a brilliant venue and we really enjoyed our time here. From the catering to the space we have been offered here, the attentiveness of the staff, accessibility considerations, it’s been a real pleasure to host our roadshow here.