Get ready for the Nottys

Exeter’s awards calendar will get a bit bigger and a whole lot more extravagant on Thursday November 23 when the first ever Notworking Networking awards premiers in style at the Forge, Winslade Manor.

The brainchild of former Exeter Chiefs player and now director of local marketing firm Smithkin Baker, Chris Bentley, the ‘Nottys’ are a breath of fresh air to the region’s social calendar with the inaugural event being backed up by a respected judging panel and gourmet dining experience.

“Marketing genius Rory Sutherland said, ‘the opposite of a good idea is often a good idea’ and that is the basis of the whole Notworking revolution,” said Chris.

With 12 sell out events in his wake, the awards were a logical step as he looks to grow the innovative brand, where business is off the agenda yet certainly gets done. 

Since its inception, Notworking Networking has taken a relaxed approach to business networking offering an environment more akin to corporate entertainment than traditionally focused card collecting that Bentley is averse to.

The self-confessed ‘social lubricant’ has always been one to bring people together after six years hosting the hospitality lounges at Sandy Park (home of the Exeter Chiefs) and the events have allowed some interesting collaborations.

Indeed, to date Notworking has seen Ted X speakers and Olympians offering keynotes while a resident psychic offers tarot readings and the passing of business cards is strictly forbidden. Safe is not really a word to associate with the brand, hence why he calls it a ‘revolution’.  

Chris added: “We have secured an X Factor finalist, some spectacular West End talent, Chef Matt Mason is preparing an amazing menu and that’s before we even get to the awards. Our aim is to create an event like no other with the hottest tickets in town for all the attendees and I’ve a few more surprises for the night itself.

“I’ll always be lighthearted, but we’ve a heavyweight judging panel and will be scrutinising the nominees to ensure that only the best talent in the west gets our awards that are being designed and sculpted by the maestro Brendan Rawlings of Zen Wood Design.”

The judging panel of Michael Dart (Darts Farm), Dr Sally Basker (Exeter Science Park), Karime Hassan (Former Exeter City Centre chief executive), Louise Edwards (Michelmores) and Nick Sprague (Frobishers) certainly carries some clout and does lean towards an event that the business community will enjoy.

Tickets and further details are all available from the website www.thenottys.co.uk and are expected to sell out well in advance of the event.