The Business Enterprise Xchange (BEX) returns to the Manchester International Convention Centre on November 17 and 18.

This year leading keynotes speakers will include Karan Bilimoria CBE, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer and Brian McBride, Managing Director of T-Mobile UK.

A law graduate from Cambridge University and qualified Chartered Accountant, Karan Bilimoria rejected both professions for the 'blue-sky freedom' of entrepreneurship and launched a less gassy, premium lager.

Fifteen years later, the distinctively branded Cobra Beer is one of the fastest growing beer labels in the UK, with a retail value of £80 million.

Brian joined T-Mobile in May 2003, bringing with him more than 25 years experience in the IT industry.

He is responsible for all T-Mobile's operations in the UK, including around 6,500 employees, 14.9m customers, and 155 locations. Brian will share his experiences of running this leading company in the highly competitive and innovative telecoms sector.

The free to attend event, supported by Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), attracts a wide-ranging audience from across the North West region, from the established business community to owners and managers of SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

And for the first time, BEX will also incorporate an Enterprise Week conference The Next Big Thing (www.nextbigthing-nw.com) which is about giving young people the confidence, skills and inspiration to turn their own business ideas into reality.

Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director of Enterprise, Innovation and Skills, said: "Enterprise and entrepreneurship are essential elements of a successful economy and it is vital that we encourage the development of a strong enterprising culture throughout the region in order to create the best possible environment for business success.

"The NWDA is committed to providing services and support to enable the region's businesses to grow and prosper and regional events such as BEX, which help to create new business leads and encourage and support entrepreneurship, play a vital role in achieving this.

"Since its inception BEX struck a chord with its SME business audience," explained project director Marcie Incarico. Businesspeople are incredibly time poor so we ensure our seminar and keynote speaker programme delivers direct benefit to each delegate by combining practical advice and help, with inspiration and motivation."

To find out more about BEX 2005 or to register for a free delegate pass visit www.bexnw.net or call Out There Events on 0161 244 5825.