More than 60 exhibiting businesses and hundreds of visitors took part in IW Chamber’s Business Expo yesterday (12 July), held at Ryde School.
The business networking event has been hailed as a huge success, with a record number of exhibitors and attendees.
A landmark day in business community calendar
Sponsored by WightFibre, the event is a landmark day in the business community calendar, providing informal high-quality networking, with free entry, open to all.
This year’s event saw Expo relocate to the grounds of Ryde School, with more than 60 Island businesses taking stands in a specially erected marquee. The venue proved a hit with exhibitors and attendees alike, with excellent facilities and food provided.
Holbrook: The feedback has already been very strong
Steven Holbrook, IW Chamber’s Chief Executive, said,
“We’re thrilled with the response to Expo. The sunny weather was the icing on the cake for an already buzzing event. Moving the event to Ryde School brought us into Ryde town, where there is plenty of nearby parking, creating an opportunity for higher footfall. We saw a steady stream of visitors across the day and we know that people stayed for longer this year. We’re very happy with our numbers.
“This year we hosted more businesses than ever and I’d like to thank all of our exhibitors and sponsors for supporting our event and the Chamber. Expo is a very necessary event and we know that it brings the community together for one day. It’s free to attend and open to all, and we’re very grateful to everyone who supported us and helped to make it happen.
“I’d like to thank all of our exhibiting businesses for taking the opportunity to be part of our event and helping the Chamber to wave the flag for Island business. Huge thanks to our main sponsor WightFibre for their ongoing support for the Chamber; we couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks too to our returning sponsors All Things Printed, Fortis Energy and IOW Espresso Co.
“It was great to see so many new faces and new businesses choosing to exhibit this year. The team at Ryde School have been fantastically supportive and helpful, providing the perfect setting. As well as meeting our exhibitors within the WightFibre marquee, we also saw lots of attendees enjoying the sunshine and sitting down on deckchairs to chat on the lawn. It was informal networking at its best.
“The feedback has already been very strong and we’re already thinking about how we can grow Expo next year and make it even better still.”
Networking opportunities
Attendees were able to chat to businesses from a wide range of Island businesses and organisations, from the local authority to corporate service providers, technology firms, media, transport, food and drink, hospitality and the charity sector.
Irvine: We want to give back to the Island
WightFibre’s CEO John Irvine spoke at the opening of Expo. He said,
“WightFibre is proud once again to sponsor the largest business event on the Island
“We want to give back to the Island and to support the Island community, including the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, which is a not for profit organisation. Our sponsorship helps the Chamber to make Expo a bigger event and to reach more people. It’s a great day for the business community.”
Businesses taking part
Businesses exhibiting at Expo this year included:
WightFibre, PC Consultants, Fortis Energy, Ryde Town Council, JR Zone, HTP Apprenticeship College, Southern Vectis, Wight Computers, All Things Printed, Wightlink, Hillbans Pest Control, Red Squirrel Property Shop, Hovertravel, IW College, Mission Zero Business Hub, Solent LEP, Cherry Godfrey, Hose Rhodes Dickson, holidaycottages.co.uk, Alex Tana Coaching, Pertemps, Goodskills Training, Wonderfell Theatre Company, Top Mops, Vehicle Consulting Solent, Lifeline Alarms, MedTec Design Services, Element Housing, Sandham Office Services, Meridian 3, Isle of Wight Radio, WRS Systems, Blue Touch Paper Consulting, Isle of Wight Lottery, Eldridges, Dataswift, Isle of Wight Observer, Robin Hill, Casper Douglas Properties (Lake) Ltd, Bembridge Powerboat Training, Powered Now, Biscoes Solicitors, Isle of Wight Youth Trust, Isle of Wight County Press, Vision Accounting, Hotensify, J.L.T Wines Limited, Innovation Wight – Building 41, Isle of Wight Tomatoes, Dementia UK Admiral Nurses (IW) Appeal, Working Towards Wellbeing, Citizens Advice, Isle Access, Mountbatten, Wessex Cancer Trust, SEETEC, Isle of Wight Construction Training Group (IWCTG), Statera Initiative ltd, Ryde School with Upper Chine, Alison Thorogood Training & Coaching, HR Dept, Wight Community Energy, IOW Espresso Co. & Island Roasted, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
News shared by Tom on behalf of Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce. Ed
