Exeter networking organisations jointly support New Devon Business Expo

Two leading Exeter-based networking clubs are joining forces to be part of the new Devon Business Expo organised by thebestof Exeter with headline sponsor Basepoint Business Centres and Express & Echo as the official media partner.  The business exhibition launches on the 5th June at Matford Centre, Exeter with over 100 exhibitors and the capacity for 1000 delegates who can attend the event for free with pre-booking.  The Keynote Speaker is Michelle Downey Head of thebestof for the UK who will open the event which includes seminars and workshops.

Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Business Network (SW) together will be actively encouraging networking at the exhibition which is aimed at businesses from across the region and members of these business organisations will be eligible to 10% discount if they book a stand.

Exeter Chamber of Commerce is holding its regular monthly members’ lunch at the event for the month of June which will run from 12 noon – 1.30pm.

Derek Phillips, Vice President of Exeter Chamber of Commerce says: “Exeter Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be a part of the new Devon Business EXPO it gives members the chance to visit all exhibitors and take part in seminars and workshops.  If you are a member of the Chamber please join us at 12pm on Thursday 5th June and guests who are thinking of joining the Chamber as members are also welcome to attend. To book your place please contact the Chamber team on 01392 431133.   www.exeterchamber.co.uk.

Business Network (SW) run by Sean Humby is celebrating its 21^st anniversary this year. The club is sponsoring the after-show drinks reception in aid of Exeter-based charity Dream-A-Way which organises days out and dream holidays for people of all ages with disabilities or who are disadvantaged. Delegates to the business expo who pre-book on line will be able to enter the event free of charge.  Visitors who just turn up on the day are welcome but will be asked to give a donation of £5 towards Dream-A-Way.

Sean Humby, Director, Business Network (SW) Ltd says: “We are very excited to be part of this new venture and wish Dave Barr and his team every success.  There are some great charity prizes at the after-show drinks party which we are sponsoring to raise monies for this worthy local cause and it’s a great opportunity to network with a large number of people. Networking is a proven formula to develop long-lasting relationships and grow your business and we look forward to seeing our members, as well as new contacts from the local business community, at this not to missed exhibition which promises to be a major success.”  www.business-networksw.co.uk

Managing Director, thebestof Exeter Dave Barr says: “Having the two leading business organisations in Exeter come together to be a key part of this exciting new business exhibition gives a strong message of support and confidence in what we believe is the biggest local event in the business calendar.  We are offering 10% discount on stands booked by members of Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Business Network (SW) in order to encourage as many different industry sectors as possible to be able to promote their products and services.”

To book an exhibition stand or book your complimentary place as a delegate visit: www.devonbusinessexpo.co.uk

Basepoint Exeter sponsors The Devon Business Expo 2014

Dave Barr, Managing Director of thebestofExeter, and organiser of the Devon Business Expo 2014 is delighted that this innovative and exciting event will be sponsored by Basepoint, Marsh Barton, Exeter.

Basepoint specialises in the development and operation of flexible business, innovation and enterprise centres. These centres provide comprehensive accommodation and support infrastructure packages to new and early-stage businesses within a supportive and secure environment.

The company operates both wholly and part-owned centres, as well as managing facilities on behalf of public sector bodies. Group operations currently include 30 centres across southern England, the Midlands and Wales with additional opportunities under assessment across the UK. 

Basepoint is owned by The ACT Foundation, a leading UK grant making charity. As the main trading arm of ACT, Basepoint’s revenue does more than simply maintain and develop its business centres – it helps to make a difference to those people in society who need it most, such as the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged.

Basepoint offers a variety of benefits to its licensees including an easy-in easy-out licence agreement, quality managed services, meeting rooms, free parking, training and development services and a business portal. Each centre also hosts regular free networking events (“The Networking Hub”) for licensees and the wider business community, to encourage and nurture business growth in the local area.

John Ashment manager of the Exeter Basepoint Centre said: 

“As providers of unique workspace in the region, Basepoint Business Centres are very excited to be sponsoring The Devon Business Expo 2014. I am sure it will be a great event and the Basepoint team are really looking forward to being involved and helping make the Expo a huge success.”

The Devon Business Expo 2014 is being staged at the Matford Centre Exeter on Thursday June 5^th.  For more information visit www.devonbusinessexpo.co.uk or call 01392 349130.

Exeter Business Expo gets off to a Flying Start!

The inaugural Business Expo ‘Business Gives Back’ held at Exeter Racecourse in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) during ‘National Air Ambulance Week’ is confirmed as a resounding success by organisers, thebestofexeter.  

More than 400 delegates had the opportunity to visit local business exhibition stands and seminars presented by key-note speakers chaired by Derek Philips plus 1:1 business clinics in ‘The Business Advice Centre’.  

The day kicked-off with an early morning ‘Big Breakfast’ chaired by Nick Agg-Manning and Exeter Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking lunch for members and non-members who pre-booked.  Each of the 100 exhibitors generously donated £17,000 worth of business prizes in line with the “Business Gives Back” ethos for the charity prize draw in aid of DAAT.  A total of £612 including a donation from thebestofexeter was raised for this worthy local cause during ‘National Air Ambulance Week.’

Tim Jones FRICS, Chairman - Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership gave the opening address and was joined by Michelle Downey Head of thebestof, Linda Bennett Managing Director of thebestofexeter and Caroline Creer Fundraising Director DAAT 

Michelle Downey Head of thebestof says:”Giving something back to the businesses of Exeter has been wholeheartedly achieved at the inaugural thebestofexeter Business Expo supporting a very worthy local cause. In my role as Head of thebestof I attend business events across the UK, yet the enthusiasm, passion and camaraderie I found at the Exeter Business Expo was amazing.  The help and support offered to each other by local businesses is incredible and there is a real sense of pride for independents in Exeter and Devon as a whole.  This was the launch of Business Gives Back Expo for thebestofexeter and it promises to get bigger and better.  When speaking to exhibitors throughout the course of the day, many are already keen to book for next year.”

www.bgbexpo.co.uk