A CONCERTED effort is being made by York firms to tell the world that the city is open for business.

They plan a week-long series of events this November that aim to “advise, inspire and celebrate York’s world-class environment for business.”

A number of private sector organisations, including the York Economic Partnership, Science City York, Business Link Yorkshire, York Business Forum, the Leeds York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and York Professionals are linking arms with the City of York Council to launch York Business Week from November 15 to 19.

Two of the major events it will straddle will be the Tourism Futures Conference hosted by both the York St John Business School and Visit York on Wednesday November 17; and The Press Business Awards 2010 at York Racecourse on the following day. But it will also encompass a host of free seminars and advice workshops which are being organised throughout the city, from marketing sessions and business game demonstrations to lectures on building a more enterprising culture.

A call to arms goes out tomorrow to members of organisations such as Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, the North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership (NYBEP) and York Professionals asking for their input into the week. More details will be announced later.

Nick Eggleton, of York-based Acute Marketing, a co-ordinator for the event, said: “The business week is already a proven format in Leeds, where one was held last year and the Hull-based Humber Business Week usually held in June is a regular annual success. Organisers there have promised to lend a helping hand.

“Happily, the week happens to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week run by Enterprise UK involving 88 countries, 32,000 events and 7.5 million participants.”

John Yeomans, chairman of York Professionals, said: “We want this series of events to reflect that York is an ideal place to create, grow and sustain entrepreneurs and enterprise.

“For that reason we want to attract an external audience to come and see and applaud the business successes of the city as well as an audience from within York to point out to them that there are fantastic things happening within their own community “This will be achieved by communicating what valuable support is available to businesses, and inspiring pride and determination to succeed at all levels and all ages.”