BUSINESSES gathered at the Three Counties Showground for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce's Autumn Business Expo, in association with Hewett Recruitment.

More than 120 exhibitors and 800 visitors attended the event in Malvern, with the day beginning with its Networking Breakfast, where more than 200 guests enjoyed a morning banquet before hearing from guest speakers Nicholas Stamenkovic, senior economist of NatWest Group, Ben Mannion, director at Hewett Recruitment and Sharon Smith, chief executive at the Chamber.

Of the Expo, Sharon said: “I was pleased to welcome so many new and returning faces to our final business exhibition of 2019.

"Our Expos are two of the busiest events in our networking calendar, and it’s fantastic to see local companies making those all important connections time and time again."

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce was thrilled to welcome new businesses to exhibit on the day, and hopes that guests also took advantage of the tasty Food and Drink Producers’ Zone, sponsored by mfg Solicitors, and enjoyed networking with other business professionals in the dedicated Networking Zone, sponsored by Haines Watts.

To help raise awareness of World Mental Health Day, attendees were also encouraged to visit the Time to Change and NHS Now We’re Talking stands to find out more about supporting colleagues who have or are currently experiencing mental health problems.

In attendance at the event was Annette Ford, general manager of Cleftbridge Ltd, who said: “We found the Expo to be a great way of introducing ourselves to the wider world and taking advantage of meeting with other exhibitors.”

Also speaking at the event from overall sponsors Hewett Recruitment, Verity Hudson, marketing executive, said: “The Expo is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our knowledge, expertise and services to the local business area.”

The Chamber’s Spring Business Expo will take place on Thursday 12 March 2020, and stands are now available to book.

For more information regarding the Expo, go to www.hwchamber.co.uk/events/business-expo.