Leading the BID industry
Leading the BID industry
Elevate your marketing expertise with the British BIDs Certificate in BID Marketing course.
This comprehensive programme is designed specifically for BID professionals, offering in-depth training on essential marketing strategies and tools. Gain practical knowledge to attract visitors, engage local businesses and enhance community vibrancy. With expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and real-world case studies, you'll develop the skills to drive impactful marketing campaigns. Join a network of like-minded professionals and take your BID's marketing initiatives to the next level.
All sessions will run virtually via Zoom.
Check out Class 2 dates below!
Unlock the secrets of successful marketing with our specialised "Marketing 101" short course! Perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their knowledge, this course offers a solid foundation in marketing principles tailored specifically for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Whether you're part of a small or large team, and regardless of your budget, there are always effective strategies to implement.
This practical, and down to earth session will equip you with essential marketing skills to attract visitors, engage local businesses, and enhance community vibrancy. Learn to build strategies for understanding your target audience, create compelling messages, and leverage various channels to reach them effectively.
Tutor - Simon Edward
This session will take participants through the essential items of good writing and communication. It will cover:
Tutor - Philip Collins
An exclusive marketing round table, designed specifically for BID marketing professionals. As part of our comprehensive "British BIDs Certificate in Marketing" course, this interactive session offers a unique platform to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on effective strategies with fellow BID marketers and industry experts.
Deliberately scheduled for the middle of the course, this round table is your opportunity to bring your questions, challenges, and opportunities to the table. Hear and learn from others, build clarity, and set your plans in motion.
Dive into discussions that tackle real-world challenges, discover innovative solutions, and gain valuable insights to elevate your district's marketing initiatives.
Tutor - Simon Edward
An interactive session covering copywriting: sounding like a human (even in corporate environments), social media strategy (what can you talk about, how can you talk about it?), impactful ideas and a basic process for coming up with and testing them. As well as grabbing attention in the social media world, landing your message, getting the most out of every channel and pushing the boundaries to make an impact.
Tutor - John Thornton
A final round table to reflect on the learnings, hoover up the side discussions which have arisen and take questions.
Tutor - Simon Edward
Simon is the Former Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at IBM, and a BID Board Director. Simon is an Advisor to several marketing professional bodies, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and a Chartered Marketer.
Philip is the Writer-in-Chief at The Draft, an agency which has written for many corporate and political leaders. He is columnist on many national newspapers and was the Chief Speech Writer to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, between 2003 and 2007.
John is the Senior Creative at SURREAL and former Social Media and Copywriter at Innocent Drinks.
Session 1: Marketing 101
Thursday 4th September 2025, 10am - 1pm
Session 2: Good writing and communications
Thursday 11th September 2025, 10am - 12pm
Session 3: Round Table BID Marketing Discussion
Wednesday 17th September 2025, 10am - 1pm
Session 4: Social media strategies and copywriting
Thursday 25th September 2025, 10am - 12pm
Session 5: Reflections, Questions and Closing Round Table
Wednesday 1st October 2025, 10am - 12pm
The cost of the course is £1,500 for Bb members, including their 25% discount. For non-members, please get in touch.
Sam Murray, Crawley Town Centre BID
Sam gained a BA Hons degree from Brighton University before working in the special effects, TV and film industry in Soho. Her journey led her to Crawley & Gatwick Chamber of Commerce as Communications Manager, then ten years at Crawley Borough Council in various roles within Projects, Arts and Marketing. This experience steered her into the world of Business Improvement Districts. With over four years’ experience at Manor Royal BID, she earned the Certificate in BID Management.
Taking time out for personal development and art commissions, she joined Crawley Town Centre BID in 2022, embracing roles on a part-time basis, initially as Project Manager, then Business Engagement Manager. Building on her strong community links, she has helped deliver the Business Plan, leading on new initiatives to create a safer, more vibrant, and connected town. She hopes that the Certificate in BID Marketing will further develop her skills to continue to assist the local business community.
Ben Beardmore-Gray, Newbury BID
Ben joined the Newbury BID team full-time as Marketing Manager in December 2024, after several years of account managing Newbury BID in his previous role at a leading local media company.
With extensive experience in local marketing and well-established relationships with BID businesses and suppliers, he brings valuable insight and expertise to the team and looks forward to championing all the fantastic work that local businesses already deliver throughout Newbury town centre.
His role includes managing the public-facing Visit Newbury website and social media channels, as well as contributing to the development and execution of a long-term marketing strategy as Newbury BID prepares for its re-ballot in 2027.
Wendy King, Poole BID
Wendy is the Communications and Operations Manager at Poole BID. Since joining in 2022, she’s played a key role in helping the area recover from the challenges of the pandemic. She’s been instrumental in Poole BID earning British BIDs accreditation, a recognition that only a small number of BIDs across the UK achieve. Wendy is passionate about making Poole a great place to live, work, and visit, always looking for ways to boost the local economy and bring the community together.
Charlotte Perry, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID - Marketing Officer
Joining the BID from the Staffordshire University Accellerator Graduate scheme initially, Charlotte now supports with content for BID social media and website, along with events and activities promotion.
Lauren Furey, Wandsworth Town BID - Marketing and Communications Manager
Marcia Greenwood, Northfield BID - Town Centre Manager
Melissa Hanley, One Maidstone BID (2024 Graduate)
"I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Certificate in BID Marketing course in 2024. Each week was something I looked forward to, and I stayed engaged throughout the sessions. Although the course was entirely online, the flexibility it offered was perfect, especially considering the demanding workloads at BIDs! It was fantastic to connect with marketing and events colleagues from across the BID sector, exchanging best practices and staying connected even after the course. I've gained valuable insights that I've already implemented into our BID marketing strategy. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of BID marketing and expand their network with other BIDs."
Lois Churcher, BID Leicester
Rachael Aldridge, Central District Alliance
Ryan Mitchell, Chelmsford For You
Kate Keene, Coventry BID
Joanna Breuer, Fulham Broadway BID
Stephanie Vlamis, Huddersfield BID
Cyril Bekoe, Ilford BID
Melissa Hanley, One Maidstone BID
Rifat Khan, Slough Town Centre BID
Elaine Weir, Westside BID
Luisa Huggins, Westside BID
Suzy Dierckx, Winchester BID
