Chamber looks to hold more exhibitions

It follows the success of its annual exhibition at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday(SEP 29) when a record 70 stands were featured.

Chamber president Adrian Wright said that more than 500 delegates had signed up in advance and he was delighted with the turnout on the day for the four-hour exhibition in the EBC Technology Suite and Ringside Restaurant.

The 2016 exhibition's main sponsor was Bilston-based CLM Construction Supplies and managing director Bob Hughes said it was an excellent way to meet businesses from the area.

The firm, which was formed six years ago and has been in Wolverhampton for the last two, joined the chamber 18 months ago and Mr Hughes said it had proved a great way to make fresh contacts beyond its customer base of national hire companies and gets its name known in the Black Country.

"The exhibition is a key part of our marketing strategy for the next three to four years," he added.

Mr Wright said; "This is our biggest exhibition so far and it is great to see both Black Country and Birmingham represented and getting more people doing business together.

"The chamber is now looking at doing this more regularly."

Through its Platinum Group the chamber is developing smaller groups for specific sectors beginning with the service sector and with retail, leisure and tourism and professional services in the pipeline.

"Each sector has certain issues and areas they need to focus on and bringing them together with peer-to-peer opportunities is one way to assist with growth," explained Mr Wright.

Gary Burke, co-owner of Wolverhampton-based Burke Bros Moving Group, was all in favour of increasing the number of exhibitions.

"We should do this more than once a year. Having an exhibition a couple of times a year would give more opportunities for the business community to meet," he said.

Kevin Rogers, chief executive of Wolverhampton-based health cash plan company Paycare, said the big turnout at the exhibition indicated the health of the local economy.

"We are having a really busy year helped by out being back-of-shirt sponsors with Wolves.

"The exhibition is helping us raise awareness of our brand and helping explain what we do to companies not aware of us," he explained.

Many businesses were exhibiting for the first time including WG Automation from Hednesford, which was formed two-and-a-half years ago. Director David Wilkes said the purpose of taking part was to get manufacturers interested in using its services to develop robotic solutions for their businesses.

Piranha Promotions, of Salisbury Place, Wolverhampton, was another first time exhibitor. It has been in the city for 22 years and there was a lot of interest in its services including promotional items, customisable workwear and printing.

The exhibition also included a pop-up speed networking session.

* The chamber's awards dinner will also be held at Wolverhampton Racecourse on November 18.