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

NEW DEVON BUSINESS SHOW LAUNCHES IN EXETER

A new business expo showcasing services and products of businesses across the region is being organised by thebestof Exeter with headline sponsor, Basepoint Business Centres. Taking place on Thursday 5^th June at Matford Centre, Exeter, ‘The Devon Business Expo’ is a one-day event with over 100 exhibitors and looking to attract 1000 visitors. 

The Devon Business Expo evolved from the B2B Expo which took place at Exeter Racecourse in 2012 and has all the ingredients to be a highly successful event which it is planned to run annually. The expo is aimed at business owners, professionals, corporate businesses and start-ups who wish to raise their profile and brand awareness sponsored by Basepoint Business Centres and supporting sponsor Glen King PR/Marketing. 

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 which is based in 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.

John Ashment manager of the Exeter Basepoint Centre says: “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 is really looking forward to being involved and helping make the Expo a huge success.”

The inaugural business show is seeking to attract a large cross-section of industry sectors and free to attend for delegates who pre-book on-line.  Visitors who turn up on the day without pre-registration will be asked to donate £5 to Dream-A-Way, the designated show charity. 

As well as a keynote speaker there will be many interactive activities including seminars/workshops, speed networking and a networking café.  The Exeter Chamber of Commerce is holding their monthly members’ lunch at the event and an after-show drinks reception is sponsored by Business Network (SW) with a charity raffle and great prizes to raise monies for Dream-A-Way.

Dave Barr Managing Director thebestof Exeter says: “There is a growing need for a major business exhibition in the region and Exeter enjoys a close-knit business community so is the perfect venue to hold it.  The B2B show was a pilot event and we were delighted with the support from local businesses.  As a result we are now launching the exciting new Devon Business Expo which will be bigger and better and has the promise to be even more successful. The exhibition is a comprehensive portal to growing local businesses across the County and beyond.  It will offer a wealth of opportunities to promote your business as well as good advice and information provided in the many seminars and workshops throughout the day crucial for business growth in a challenging economy.”

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

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.

Glen King, Glen King PR / Michelle Downey, Head of thebestof / Derek Philips, Vice-Chairman Exeter Chamber of Commerce / Hélena Holt, CEO DAAT / Tim Jones FRICS, Chairman - Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership/ Linda Bennett, Managing Director thebestofexeter / Dave Barr, Business Gives Back Expo / Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director DAAT

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.”

Business Gives Back EXPO organised by thebestof Exeter, sponsored by Exeter Racecourse & Peninsular OneSource, with support from Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Business Network SW, Basepoint Business Centres and 4Networking. 

Each year it costs around £4.5m to keep the Devon Air Ambulance service airborne with every penny coming from donations and fundraising by the community and businesses. National Air Ambulance Week is 24th – 30th September which has an emphasis on raising awareness of the services in addition to raising funds.