Don’t miss the next one!

ENTREPRENEURS and business leaders who missed the first-ever Achievers’ Conference in Oldham last weekend let slip a huge opportunity.

The event, organised by Oldham organisation The Enterprise Centre, has already been recognised as a massive success.

More than 100 people were at the Grand Venue in Westwood for the day-long event which featured a host of inspiring speakers who shared their business experiences.

The event was brought to Oldham by Alison Hornsby, who was inspired by an achievers’ event in London which attracted thousands of budding entrepreneurs.

Alison said: “What a great start. We need to make this annual event.

“Having attended the London event I was buzzing for days and I hope that people who were with us on Saturday felt the same.

“And to be handed the High Impact Event award by the organisers of Global Entrepreneur week was the icing on the cake.

What a great start — next year we want to get bigger and better and really put Oldham on the map as the host borough of a tremendous event.”

Saturday featured inspiring contributions by two of Oldham’s real achievers — Nigel Newton and Gavin Wheeldon.

The founder of Applied Language Solutions Ltd, based in Delph but with offices literally around the globe, Gavin spoke of his determination to succeed, his time on “Dragon’s Den” and being a “Secret Millionaire” on the BBC show..

Nigel, who formed Infratec with two partners and later sold the Oldham-based business for £21 million to Clarke Telecom, shared his life experiences with the enthusiastic audience from his time as a plumber to the day he banked his £7 million cheque. Danny Sodregren — introduced as “The Mad Marketeer” — spoke of his experiences in the digital age.

The undoubted star of the day was entrepreneur Kevin Green, who regularly shares platforms with Sir Alan Sugar and Sir Richard Branson.

Britain’s largest private landlord, he is worth around £43 million but told his rapt audience: “I will never stop working.”

He shared the secrets of success, his drive and commitment and admitted to sleeping as “little as possible in order not to waste a single second”.

There was entertainment from Square One, a hugely talented local ensemble, during the lunch break and the day was rounded up by Danny Price and his Total Dance students with an energetic, frenetic display which, like the speakers and presentations, left the delegates gasping, wanting more and eagerly anticipating the Achievers’ Conference 2012.