More than 60 exhibiting businesses and hundreds of visitors took part in IW Chamber’s Business Expo on Wednesday (12th July), held at Ryde School.
The business networking event has been hailed as a huge success, with a record number of exhibitors and attendees.
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.
Steven Holbrook, IW Chamber’s Chief Executive
“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.
Article continues below this advertisement “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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
WightFibre’s CEO John Irvine spoke at the opening of Expo.
“WightFibre is proud once again to sponsor the largest business event on the Island,” John said. “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.”
