I knew that last week was going to be busy, and it was, but I think that Friday at the #SBS Event 2015 was one of those really exciting days that you just don't want to end. We had arrived at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham just after a bit of a blizzard, but fortunately had had a clear drive all the way up from Devon, really didn't want to be driving in a snow storm. We met up with some fellow SBS winners for drink, then supper at Waggamamas which was a brilliant idea and many thanks to Kim Jones for organising it. It was great to meet lots of new people and find out about their businesses. What an interesting and exceptional lot of entrepreneurs you lot are! After a particularly yummy breakfast at the hotel we walked down the road to the ICC, registered, got our badges and wham! straight into it – networking – exchanging business cards – meeting people I know from Twitter and FaceBook and at last able to put a face to, and meeting other Devon winners! The whole day was marvellous, Theo Paphitis speaks brilliantly and inspirationally. The Q & A session was exceptional, and then the rush for the photographs! I have been boring everyone to bits with my "Me and Theo" photographs, particularly where I have been able to crop Richard (Mr ATK) out of them!!
An early start on Saturday to drive home, swap suitcases, re-pack and then leave early on Sunday morning to get the Messrs ATK to Bristol airport to get to the Nurnberg Toy Fair for a meeting with their suppliers. They had a flight to Munich, train to Nurnberg, meetings, dinner, sleep, more meetings and quick whistlestop tour of the Toy Fair then train, and plane back to Bristol where I picked them up. (If I had gone, we would have also included a quick detour to the Alps for an afternoon ski – but I wasn't invited). A fantastic time was had in Germany, lots of plans have been finalised and the very exciting ATK Pro – adult version – of our kart – is being built as I type. A Summer launch is on the cards!
