Business leaders in South Wales will hear the inspirational story of a man who overcame horrific injuries in a paragliding accident to become one of the UK’s most successful Paralympic cyclists.
Mark Colbourne MBE, International Speaker and Paralympic Cycling Champion, will be giving the keynote speech at the Zokit Springconf 2018 on May 17 at Cardiff City Stadium.
In 2009, Mark, from Tredegar, broke his back in an emergency landing when the wing of his paraglider collapsed. It was a life-changing moment, and Mark had to learn to walk again with walking aids.
During his recovery, he discovered Paralympic cycling through Disability Sport Wales, training with the coach Neil Smith in Newport’s Velodrome.
Competing in the C1 classification, Mark went on to win a gold and two silvers in the London Paralympics, and won his first world title in 2012. In fact, his silver in the C1-3 1km time trial was Britain’s first medal of the home Paralympics. This all happened just three years after his devastating accident.
In 2013, Mark was awarded the MBE for services to cycling, and retired from para-cycling.
Since then, he has developed a career as an international motivational speaker. You can read more about his story here: http://www.markcolbourne.com/.
Zokit founder Neil Lloyd said: “We’re delighted Mark Colbourne will be joining us. His story is one of success against all the odds, something from which business people can learn so much.
“It’s wonderful that we have such an inspirational keynote speaker for our conference.”
The event will be fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance Trust, which has recently launched its specialist children’s air ambulance. It’s a charity close to Mark’s heart as it was involved in his rescue after his paragliding accident.
The conference, sponsored by Robertsons Solicitors, will be held between 10.30am and 3pm on May 17. There will be a three-course lunch, refreshments during the day, talks on current business trends in breakout rooms, and lots of opportunity to connect with dynamic businesses.
The winners of the independently-judged Zokit Awards will also be announced. The awards are open to any business which operates in South Wales.
Tickets can be booked here: http://zokit.co.uk/springconf/.
Other event sponsors include Ricoh, Action Coach, and Anchor Success.
The Zokit Awards categories this year are:
· Business Evolution
· Marketing Mojo
· Customer Focus
· Young Entrepreneur
· Online Influence
· Best Event
· Start Up Spark
· Innovative Dynamo
· Amazing Venue
· Environmental Excellence
· Inspiring Leader
· Wellness At Work
· Outstanding Contribution
· Tech Creation
· Diversity Driven
· Extraordinary Collaboration
All finalists will also be entered into the overall Business of The Year Award. The quick online application can be found at www.zokit.co.uk/awards. The closing date for entry is March 7, entry for the awards is free, and you can enter multiple categories.
Finalists will be announced on the week commencing March 12.
The individual award sponsors are: Dr Bridget; Penarth Management; Forte Web Solutions; Accolade Executive Business Coaching; Red Squirrel Marketing; Octopus Blue; Smarta; Words You Can Use; Wordcatcher Publishing; Cobalt HR; Peak Coaching Academy; Workwell Therapy; Shed Marketing.
Zokit is a business development network with more than 7,000 active followers, 2,000 business clients, and 100 premier members across South Wales. It organises inspirational business events including training and development days, expos, and networking sessions in Cardiff, Bridgend, and the Vale of Glamorgan, with Newport launching in April. The network also promotes South Wales businesses online.