THE ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION 2011 Brighton Dome, Tuesday 07 June

Jacqueline Gold, the Chief Executive of Ann Summers, was the Keynote Speaker at the ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION 2011 at the Brighton Dome on 07 June (attendance was by invitation only).

Jacqueline Gold is one of Britain's most successful businesswomen.  As Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox, she's become known as the "woman responsible for bringing sex to the high street".  Ms Gold told her inspirational story of how she joined Ann Summers in 1979 and transformed it into the hugely successful business it is today, with annual sales of over £150 million!

Also on the panel of speakers were Neil Smart from the Office of Fair Trading and Question Time" style Panel Debate on the topic of "Your People" with distinguished Rewards & Management specialists.

Delegates then interacted in three different Legal Workshop about Buying & Selling a Business, Getting a Prenup to avoid Commercial Disputes and Tips on resolving Employment Disputes.

This event follows the tremendous success of last year's convention which is run for this second year by ACUMEN BUSIENSS LAW, an innovative and award winning business specialist Law Firm based in Brighton & Burgess Hill. Having such a prestigious and professional business convention for Sussex businesses with such high profile speakers was a refreshing change and was a complete sell out.

Flashmob Gospel Choir
Jacqueline Gold was introduced onto the stage in a way that she never experienced before. Ten singers from Brighton Goes Gospel Choir were dotted around the audience disguised as businessmen and women. The Oliver Asha, a director of the firm, who was on the stage announced to the audience: "And now without further ado I am delighted to introduce you to the CEO of Ann Summers Jacqueline…" and as he was taking a breath, a singer from Brighton Goes Gospel Choir stood up and sang "GOLD" (by Spandau Ballet).

Then one by one other Choir members got up joining the singing and when all the 10 were singing and clapping the entire audience was joining in ending with a roar of "GOLD". That took everyone by a complete surprise and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Feedback:
One CEO of a delegate company wrote: "I would like to congratulate the Acumen team on another successful Acumen Business Convention. Your innovative blend of legal content, personal engagement with the business community combined with a radical and entertaining speaker resulted in an event that was an enjoyable and rewarding afternoon. I loved the gospel singers.  You do know how to make an impact and be very different lawyers!"

Penina Shepherd, Founder & MD of ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW said: "The purpose of the ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION is to give another platform to our clients and contact to share business acumen, inspire; harmonize their understanding of business & law; network & entertain. This was our second annual convention and we had a full house with over 150 business executives. I am absolutely delighted it went so well."

Jacqueline Gold's Speech
In her speech, Gold spoke about revolutionising a male dominated industry and educating the female market.  She also enlightened us with some "interesting statistics" about how the number of participants in Ann Summer's parties in a year was actually more than the number of people who attend Old Trafford in a season(!)

Then, just before moving on to the Q & A session, she said "I always get asked the same questions, so here are the answers in advance:
(1) Yes I do wear Ann Summers lingerie;
(2) No I don't try all the products myself; and
(3) Yes size does matter"!

The convention concluded with live music, canapés and drinks.

Another successful ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION.
Be there in 2012!

Click here to view all our photos from the event