Last chance to register for Devon Business EXPO

There are only a couple of days until the Devon Business Expo 2014 opens at Matford Centre, Marsh Barton organised by thebestofexeter with headline sponsor, Basepoint Business Centres and the Express & Echo as the official media partner.  The event kicks off at 11am with a welcoming address by Michelle Downey, Head of ‘bestof’ and seminar.  Her talk will be about the things that business owners can do, not only to bring out the fun aspect of their business but how to stand out from the crowd.

thebestof Exeter team: David Hastings - Marketing Consultant, Dave Barr - Director, Yana Browning - Office Administrator, Peter Barr - Local promoter and Mike Pattle - Marketing Consultant 

Over 800 people have registered to attend the Expo which concludes with an ‘After Show Networking Party’ at 5.30pm sponsored by Business Network (SW) which will help raise money for the designated show charity, Dream-A-Way.

The official exhibition starts at 12 noon with supporting sponsors, Glen King PR/Marketing, Thermalogica and GHQ Training.  This year’s event has been so well supported that thebestofexeter announces the date for next year! The Devon Business Expo 2015 will take place on April 30^th, again at the Matford Centre. Managing Director Dave Barr said “We are delighted with the response to this year’s Expo; we are now taking bookings for next year. All of this year’s exhibitors who re-book on the day will get 10% discount and the deposit of just 10% of the reduced stand price will be held over for the next three months. I’d like to personally thank all our sponsors and partners this year who have helped ensure the success of the event, and I hope they will support us again in 2015.”

Meanwhile those enjoying the Exeter Chamber of Commerce Lunch, or attending the seminars at the Expo will be impressed by the settings and decor which have been generously provided by Vern Allen Entertainments, who are also exhibiting with their own exhibition stand.

There is lots to see and do internally and exciting things happening externally. When visitors arrive they will find the big red Calor Gas marquee by the main entrance hosting cookery demonstrations by top chef Richard Valder from @Angela’s Restaurant in Exeter. Exeter Segways is a leader in personal, green transportation, developing products that transform the way you work, play and live.  The company will be showcasing their eco-friendly personal transporters gliding effortlessly around the outside area of the Matford Centre.

Exeter Segways will be demonstrating at the EXPO 

If you have not already pre-registered as a delegate you will still be welcomed on the day with a request for a donation of £5 on the door to Dream-A-Way, a local worthy cause who are the charity of the year for thebestofExeter 2014. Dave Barr comments: “I have known Chairman, Jeff Merrett MBE and his ‘Dream Team’ for a number of years and by helping to raise money at this event will help them to continue the great work they do providing holidays and days out for people with disabilities and their carers across the South West. Make sure you visit the charity on stand #93”

Meet the team of thebestofexeter on stand #51 where they will be pleased to explain just how they can help promote local businesses.

For more information visit: www.devonbusinessexpo.co.uk

Win a stand at the Devon Business Expo 2014!

thebestofExeter promotes businesses in and around the City of Exeter and has become the definitive guide to great businesses in the area. They are currently busy organising the Devon Business Expo 2014 which is going to be a major event in the Devon business calendar. It is being staged at the Matford Centre on Thursday the 5^th June with over a hundred exhibitors and up to a thousand visitors on the day. The Expo is open to all types of business from across Devon including cafes and restaurants, garages, retailers, professional services, charities, digital marketing, social media and training, plus many more.

Now there is a chance for one lucky business to win a free stand to promote themselves at the Expo via a multi media competition in conjunction with thebestofExeter, Express and Echo, Devon Hour, Twitter, Facebook and Basepoint. The prize in detail is a 3m x 2m exhibition stand including shell scheme walls, table and electricity, worth over £400.

To enter simply visit  https://thedevonbusinessexpo.eventbrite.com and register.

You can also register for free admission to the event at the same time.

Even if you are not lucky enough to win there are still a few stands available for exhibitors.

For more information please visit www.devonbusinessexpo.co.uk or call 01392 349135.

Charity celebrates coming of age at Business Expo

The Devon Business Expo organised by TheBestOf Exeter and launching on Thursday 5^th June at Matford Centre, announces its ‘charity of the year’ Dream-A-Way, celebrating its 21^st anniversary, as the designated show charity.  A charity raffle will be held to raise much needed monies for this local worthy cause at the after-show drinks reception sponsored by Business Network (SW).

The business exhibition sponsored by BasePoint Business Centres, supporting sponsor Glen King PR and Express & Echo as the official media partner, will have over 100 exhibitors showcasing their  products and services from across the region with a capacity of up to 1000 visitors at this one-day event.

The exhibition’s designed charity, Exeter registered Dream-A-Way, provides grants for holidays and day trips to people of all ages with any sort of disability who live in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.  With a loyal team of volunteers, the charity prides itself on giving all the monies raised by supporters to fund trips and do not take any funds for overheads or expenses.

The charity has helped over 10,000 local people since it was established in 1993.  Last year it enabled nearly 2000 individuals to enjoy a very special experience and days out.  Over 1200 guests enjoyed caravan holidays in Devon by the sea and 100 have fulfilled their dream holiday.

Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE says: “Dream-A-Way has always valued close relationships with local businesses and we are honoured to have been chosen as the Charity of the Year for TheBestOf Exeter and selected as the designated charity for the exciting new Devon Business Expo. Without this type of support we would have been unable to help so many amazing local people. We very much look forward to meeting up with even more local businesses at this wonderful new initiative.”

Exeter-girl Catherine who had a liver transplant 15 years’ ago when she was just a baby, was whisked away at the end of last year on a Dream-A-Way holiday to Portugal.  She was joined by Dad Martin, mother Heather and her brother Ryan for a much needed family Christmas break.

She comments: “It was amazing being able to spend Christmas on the beach, we even made a snowman, well a sand man! I jumped into the freezing cold swimming pool and splashed around in the glorious sea. My amazing experience was all thanks to the wonderful Dream-A-Way team.  The trip marked the 15 year anniversary of my liver transplant which I celebrated in December 2013 and it was the best way I could have marked it, ever.  Dream-A-Way for me has been like the tooth fairy, I may have had a tough time but when I look under my pillow, as if by magic, life has a new silver lining and that’s all thanks to the Dream Team”

Catherine and her mum on holiday 

For more information on how to book a stand or to register your place log on-line: 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.

The Devon Business Expo 2014 brought to you by TheBestOf Exeter

An exhibition for start-ups, entrepreneurs, business owners and corporates wishing to raise brand awareness

Venue: Matford Centre, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8FD

Date: Thursday 5^th June 2014

Time: 12 noon – 17.30

17.30 - 19.00 - After show networking party sponsored by Business Network (SW)

FREE ENTRY FOR DELEGATES

Call:  01392 349 130 for more information or to book a stand

The Devon Business Expo with headline sponsor Basepoint Business Centres, is a new and exciting event with over 100 exhibitors.  Aiming to attract 1000 delegates from across the region, this not to be missed business event will be showcasing the best that the Devon business community has to offer, with keynote speaker and topical seminars.

Networking opportunities include speed-networking, a networking café, Exeter Chamber of Commerce members’ lunch and after-show drinks reception sponsored by Business Network (SW). A charity raffle with great prizes will raise funds for TheBestOf Exeter‘s Charity of the Year, Dream-A-Way.