2010 Wycombe Business ExpoRunner up in the Innovative Enterprise category of the 2011 Buckinghamshire Business Ambassadors AwardsBackground
The inaugural Wycombe Business Expo grew from a conversation at the High Wycombe Connections Club between Elton Boocock of Urban Media and Jenny Barnes from Make Our Day Events. Elton recognised that there was a lot of business done in the Wycombe District and a lot of business networking taking place, but that there was no platform for promoting the district as a great place to do business. The Expo was designed to celebrate entrepreneurship in Wycombe District and to encourage smaller businesses to look to the local marketplace, both as buyers and as suppliers. Contact us if you'd like information about the 2011 Wycombe Business Expo Vision for the ExpoThe key points of the vision for the Expo were:- a not-for-profit business-to-business event, designed to promote conversations rather than hard sell - an annual event open to exhibitors who trade in the Wycombe District - all exhibitors would have exactly the same space and facilities so that they were exhibiting on an equal footing, irrespective of size - two pull-up banners provided as part of the Expo package - training provided for exhibitors to help them to make the most of the opportunity - opportunities for exhibitors to network with each other outside the Expo - networking opportunities for visitors to the Expo - a full programme of seminars and business surgeries - a black-tie dinner to round off the event.
Planning the ExpoWycombe Business Expo Ltd was formed, with directors Elton Boocock and Jenny Barnes joined by Hilda Stearn from Partnership Working. We created a working party including other local entrepreneurs, willing to volunteer their time and keen to share the benefits of exhibiting and attending the Expo.Doing business locally makes sense – environmentally as well as economically. The Expo used local suppliers from catering to exhibition banners. The keynote speaker was the Chairman of Wycombe District Council who used the Expo to launch his SME initiative. The full programme for the Expo was published on the front and back pages of the October 2010 Business Monthly edition of the Bucks Free Press. The centre pages held a complete list of exhibitors. How the Wycombe Business Expo wentThe Expo began on 27th October 2010 with a training session run by Mary Flavelle, the queen of networking, to help exhibitors make the most of the opportunities provided by the event.The Expo itself took place on 28th October, starting with a business breakfast attended by local MP Steve Baker, the national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, and members of the local council. During the day we ran a full programme of seminars and business surgeries. More than 65 companies exhibited at the Expo, which was visited by over 200 visitors. There was a full report about the Expo on pages 5-8 of the November 2010 Business Monthly edition of the Bucks Free Press. The day was rounded off by a black tie dinner at Adams Park in High Wycombe, attended by 80 guests. The after-dinner speaker was England footballer and tv presenter John Salako. Steve Cohen, editor of the Bucks Free Press acted as MC.
Bucks Free Press report about black tie dinner Return to Home Page
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What our clients say
"Once again your organisation of the Roadshows made the booking run very smoothly. Many thanks for your help and support."“Jenny is one of those people that everyone needs to know. When I shared my vision for the Expo with her, she immediately saw the potential and agreed to help. Help? Without her it would not have been possible. Jenny works quietly and achieves massively! One word; Awesome.”
"We have been very happy with your professionalism and thorough approach with our recent events. It has made our lives considerably easier."