A record number of Brighton’s businesses, charities and entrepreneurs came together on Friday October 11th for the 2019 Brighton Summit: Crack on.

Nearly 400 attendees took part in a fully-immersive day of learning and networking, making it the biggest Brighton Summit in the seven years since it began. 

The packed line up featured an opening keynote speech from Hannah Dawson who shared her business journey, about resilience, the barriers of pride and fear and the importance of a learning mind-set. 

The second keynote speaker Kamal Ahmed, Editorial Director of BBC News was interviewed by Master of Ceremonies, James Dempster. Kamal shared his experience of being the ‘other’, growing up as a mixed-raced boy in the 70s as well as his vision of reinventing the audience-corporation dynamic in his role at the BBC. 

Gina Miller, businesswoman and campaigner, closed the Summit with an uplifting and inspirational keynote talk about the lessons she has learnt throughout her life, how she navigated upheaval, trauma and hardship, and reflecting on the choices she made to become who she is today. The audience rose to its feet as she finished her talk.  

Attendees chose from four additional speaker sessions where local business leaders including Justin Francis from Responsible Travel and Jason Kirk from Kirk & Kirk shared their business story. There were five interactive workshops led by experts designed to help business crack on and ten Engine Hours including sewing, an escape room and a food tour and many more activities all designed to inspire and recharge for the afternoon. 

In the buzzing foyer attendees were busy networking, connecting with new contacts and catching up with existing connections. Much needed energy and sustenance came from local food and drink suppliers throughout the day including Sugardough, Bird & Blend, Redroaster, Higgidy Pies, Youjuice, Spade and Spoon, Brighton Cakes, Happy Maki, Loud Shirt Brewery and Fin & Farm.