East Lothian Business Month returns throughout October, bringing together a diverse programme of events designed to support, connect and inspire businesses across the county. Organised by East Lothian Council and delivered in partnership with a range of business support organisations, the month features networking opportunities, workshops, seminars and expert-led events for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're looking to grow your network, develop new skills or discover the latest support available, there's something for everyone. Explore the programme of events below and book your place.
Unless specified otherwise, all events listed are free but booking is essential to join. Click the links for more information and to register for the event.
How to Build a Digital Marketing Plan
Event Type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar provides an opportunity for businesses in the film, video and photography sectors to hear directly about an upcoming framework opportunity to deliver creative and visual content services. Attendees will gain an understanding of the buyer's requirements, the scope of services being sought, and how the procurement process will work. The session will also cover anticipated timelines, available support for bidders, and include a live Q&A where participants can ask questions and gain valuable insight ahead of the tender being released.
Event type: Supplier Development Programme Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Small Business
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
How to Create Engaging Content
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
FSB Connect Online in Scotland
Event type: Federation of Small Businesses Online Networking Event
Time: 10:30 - 11:30
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
How to Improve Your Google Search Rankings - Part 1: On Page Optimisation
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Building Business Resilience: How to Better Adapt for Scotland’s Changing Climate
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Event type: In-person Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Networking Event at The Paper Mill, Midlothian
Time: 09:30 - 11:00
Turn Your Words Into Sales Masterclass – For Tourism Businesses
Event Type: In-Person Workshop at Queen Margeret University
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Free marketing masterclass for tourism businesses. Learn how to create compelling marketing content, use AI tools effectively, improve visibility in AI search results, and increase engagement, enquiries and bookings.
Led by award-winning tourism marketing specialist Dympna McKenna. Leave with practical tools and techniques you can apply straight away.
There is only place left so book now to secure this last place by emailing [email protected]
Event type: Supplier Development Programme in-person event at Haddington Corn Exchange
Time: 10am - 1pm
Meet the Buyer South 2026 gives businesses the opportunity to connect directly with procurement teams and buyers from a range of public and private sector organisations. Attendees can learn about upcoming contract opportunities, gain insight into public sector procurement, and discover how to become more tender-ready through free bid-writing support and training. The event is designed to help businesses explore new markets, build valuable contacts, and identify opportunities within local supply chains and Community Wealth Building initiatives.
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Building a Marketing Strategy for Sustainable Growth
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Google Analytics: Understand How Your Website Performs
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Become a CPD-Certified Green Champion
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:30
Event type: Federation of Small Businesses in-person networking event at Tattu, 18 West Register Street Edinburgh
Time: 10:00 - 11:30
FSB Connect Edinburgh is an informal in-person networking event designed to help business owners expand their professional networks and build new relationships. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of businesses, introduce their own organisation, exchange ideas, and arrange one-to-one conversations with potential contacts. The event provides a relaxed and welcoming environment for making connections, sharing experiences, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and business growth.
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Childminding: Where to start – Talk with Business Gateway East Lothian Adviser, Irene Ramsay, at Blindwells
Event type: In-person talk and Q&A with Business Gateway adviser, Irene Ramsay at the East Lothian Mums Club Clubhouse at Blindwells.
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Have you ever considered becoming a childminder? Childminding can be a rewarding way to earn an income while working flexibly around your own family and childcare commitments. Join Irene Ramsay, Business Adviser with Business Gateway East Lothian, for this informal session at the newly opened East Lothian Mums Club Clubhouse in Blindwells. Find out what childminding involves, the first steps to getting started, and the support available to help you on your journey, including funding!
Not sure childminding is for you, but have another business idea you'd like to explore? Irene will be on hand to discuss self-employment and help you take the first steps towards starting your own business.
The Hub provides a welcoming family-friendly environment, with toys, play areas and changing facilities available, so feel free to bring your children along while you chat. No need to book, just come along. For more information, contact the team at [email protected].
Accounting for Limited Companies
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
AI Power User: Getting Real Results from ChatGPT, Claude and other LLMs
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Ready to move beyond basic AI prompting? This practical webinar explores advanced techniques to help you get better, more reliable results from ChatGPT, Claude and other LLMs.
Event type: Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Online Networking Event
Time 10:30 - 11:30
This is a supportive networking session that brings together women-led businesses from across Scotland to connect, share experiences and build valuable professional relationships. Participants will take part in interactive breakout discussions, introduce their businesses, exchange ideas and expand their networks in a welcoming environment. The event also provides an opportunity to gain insights from fellow entrepreneurs, explore potential collaborations and learn about support available to help businesses grow and succeed.
Expanding to Sell into the Wider UK Market
Event type: Supplier Development Programme (SDP) Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
This webinar is designed for businesses looking to expand into new public sector markets across the UK. Attendees will learn how to identify contract opportunities beyond Scotland, develop an effective business development strategy, and understand the practical considerations involved in delivering services in new locations. The session will also explore how businesses can adapt to new markets, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of procurement opportunities, with an interactive Q&A allowing participants to discuss their own growth ambitions and challenges.
Choice of Business Gateway Webinars:
10:00 - 12:00: Get Real Results from your website
10:00 - 12:00: Selling internationally - First Steps for Service Based Businesses
10:00 - 12:00: How to write funding applications
12:30 - 14:30: Fighting the Robots - How To AI-proof Your Business
14:00 - 16:00: How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation
15:00 - 17:00: Purposeful Profit: Start Your Social Enterprise Journey
Choice of Business Gateway Webinars
10:00 - 12:00: Neurodiverse Minds: Starting A Business
10:00 - 12:00: How to Plan and Schedule your Online Content
14:00 - 16:00: Different Business Structures: What is the right one for you?
18:00 - 20:00: AI risks, ethics & responsible use: Using AI safely, responsibly and with confidence
FSB Connect Online in Scotland
Event type: Federation of Small Businesses Online Networking Event
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
FSB Connect Online in Scotland is a virtual networking session that gives business owners the opportunity to connect with peers from across Scotland and beyond. Through a series of facilitated breakout discussions, attendees can introduce their business, share ideas and experiences, build new professional relationships, and explore potential collaboration opportunities. The event offers a friendly and informal environment for expanding networks, gaining insights from fellow business owners, and discovering support available to help businesses grow.
Using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) – How to Find and Bid for Opportunities
Event type: Supplier Development Programme (SDP) Webinar
Time: 10:30 - 12:00
This introductory webinar provides a practical guide to using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), the national portal for public sector contract opportunities in Scotland. Designed for businesses that are new to tendering, the session will explain how to set up and use PCS effectively, search for relevant opportunities, and make the most of features such as Quick Quotes and PCS-Tender. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the tendering process, learn how to identify potential business opportunities, and develop the confidence to start bidding for public sector contracts. The webinar also offers practical insights into e-invoicing and navigating the platform efficiently, making it an ideal first step for businesses looking to win new work through public sector procurement.
A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Social Media Essentials: Instagram
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Social Media Essentials: LinkedIn
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
A beginner's guide to pricing products and services
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
WordPress Website Development for Beginners (evening)
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Video Production for Digital Marketing
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Finding and Keeping Great Staff in East Lothian
Event type: Interactive Webinar with Lynn Houmdi of Flexible Working Scotland
Time: 13:00 - 14:30
This is a practical session showcasing how local employers are tapping into real talent without huge effort using fair, flexible working practices. Discover a new Job Design Toolkit and help shape the online Wizard version with your real-life input. Finally, learn about the support available in East Lothian to help your business recruit, retain and thrive.
Choice of Business Gateway Webinars:
10:00 - 12:00: Why Your Business Needs a Blog
14:00 - 16:00: Business Expenses: What Can I claim?
18:00 - 20:00: How to Start a Business: The basics
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
How to Generate and Increase Sales
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
AI, SEO & The Future of Search: Remaining Visible in an AI-powered Search Landscape
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar with Janine Marriot
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Building Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn (Saturday)
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Childminding: Where to start – Talk with Business Gateway East Lothian Adviser, Irene Ramsay, in Haddington
Event type: In-person talk and Q&A with Business Gateway adviser, Irene Ramsay at the East Lothian Mums Club Hub in Haddington.
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Address: 2c Hospital Road, Haddington, EH41 3BH
Have you ever considered becoming a childminder? Childminding can be a rewarding way to earn an income while working flexibly around your own family and childcare commitments. Join Irene Ramsay, Business Adviser with Business Gateway East Lothian, for this informal session at the newly opened East Lothian Mums Club Hub in Haddington. Find out what childminding involves, the first steps to getting started, and the support available to help you on your journey, including funding!
Not sure childminding is for you, but have another business idea you'd like to explore? Irene will be on hand to discuss self-employment and help you take the first steps towards starting your own business.
The Hub provides a welcoming family-friendly environment, with toys, play areas and changing facilities available, so feel free to bring your children along while you chat. No need to book, just come along. For more information, contact the team at [email protected].
Event type: Business Gateway Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Business Connect & Showcase 2026
Time: 09:30 - 16:00
Location: The Venue, Eskmills, Station Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7PQ
The finale of East Lothian Business Month 2026, this event is organised by East Lothian Council in partnership with the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce. This collaborative event brings together the Council's popular Meet the Council and Strategic Partners Exhibition with the Chamber's established Business Expo, creating one of the region's largest business networking and support events.
The morning will feature the Meet the Council and Strategic Partners Exhibition, giving East Lothian businesses the opportunity to meet representatives from the Council and partner organisations, learn about available support, ask questions and discuss issues affecting their business. We encourage East Lothian based attendees to arrive by 10am to hear a welcome from Laurence Rockey, Chief Executive of East Lothian Council.
Running throughout the day, the Chamber’s Business Expo will showcase businesses, services and opportunities from across the region. Visitors can make valuable new connections, discover potential customers and suppliers, and take part in interactive sessions including elevator pitch training and speed networking. Whether you're looking to grow your network, raise your profile or explore new opportunities, this is the one East Lothian Business Month event you won't want to miss.
Registration: FREE to attend – Click here to register
If you would like to become an exhibitor of the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, you can purchase a stand by following this link: Book your stand
Note: East Lothian Council are not involved in the Business Expo part of this event and do not receive money from the sales of exhibition stands.
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