YORKSHIRE BUSINESS MARKET 2009 – another great success!

The 2009 Yorkshire Business Market was a complete sell-out with the 25% increase in display space this year all taken up to to squeeze in 203 Exhibitors.  A similar increase in visitors saw almost 2,000 business people arrive from all over Yorkshire and beyond, due to more extensive direct mail, PR, press supplements and ticket inserts.

After an early start for the exhibitors, which involved unloading in the pouring rain, an Exhibitor's Networking Breakfast was laid on to aid their recovery in readiness for the arrival of the visitors.

At 12 noon, the Official Opening Ceremony was undertaken by Councillor John Fox, Mayor of Harrogate and Phil Willis MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough.

Councillor John Fox, Mayor of Harrogate welcomed Exhibitors and Visitors and congratulated the Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce for organising yet another excellent Business Market. He said: “With the talk in the media of doom and gloom, it is refreshing to work with a group of people who actually want to continue to develop their business and realise that to achieve this they have to work with others. Networking is the name of the game, whether it is identifying new clients or new businesses, the Business Market offers you great opportunities”.

Opening the Business Market for the fifth time, local MP Phil Willis referred to his recent visit to Washington, USA, saying: “It was really interesting talking to people on Capitol Hill about what the Americans are doing to actually meet what is the biggest challenge the American economy has faced since 1933. In reality it comes back to very simple things, it’s about confidence, working together and building things up from base lines and building them up locally.”

“The great success about today and the great success about what the Chamber has done is that this is a business community that is actually looking ahead. It is not just simply putting up the shutters, it is not just simply managing things today; this is a fantastic business community. We work in the most amazing business environment and indeed physical environment. The fact that we have over 200 exhibitors today indicates that not only is Harrogate and Yorkshire open for business, but we have the most brilliant future to look forward to.”

One hundred and twenty VIPs from across Yorkshire were invited to a Networking Buffet Lunch following the opening ceremony.  On behalf of the business community, Peter McCormick thanked the Chamber for the efforts they are making, saying It’s a remarkable achievement and we are very grateful to them. Peter went on to say: “One of the mistakes that I believe businesses make in difficult financial times, is to cut back or even eliminate marketing activities, thinking that it is one superfluous expenditure that can be saved.  Of course in difficult times, that becomes a nonsense, you have got to get out there, get on the front foot and bring the business in.

If somebody very kindly organises a highly cost-effective event for you, where you simply pay for your stand and get all these people turning up for nothing, that really is something that can help us all feed that lifeblood of business in this difficult economy.”

The 2009 Yorkshire Business Market was sponsored by Business Link Yorkshire, the Learning & Skills Council Train to Gain Programme and Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency. The Enterprise Director at Yorkshire Forward Alex McWhirter explained; “In these tough economic times it is vital that businesses have the opportunity to develop their networks and supply chains. Additionally this will help them to secure new contacts and business, which will enable them to weather the downturn. This event not only provides these opportunities, but also allows businesses to find out more about the support that is on offer to them through services like Business Link Yorkshire.”           

FREE ASK THE EXPERTS CLINIC

The scope of this year’s Business Market was also expanded with a new “Ask the Experts Clinic” offering confidential one-to-one discussions with any business owner or manager facing problems or considering new ideas or potential new businesses.  The Experts Clinic was staffed by several advisers from Business Link, MAS, Train to Gain and UKTI plus specialists from the Yorkshire Branches of the professional institutes for Accounting, Business Consultancy, Management, Marketing, Patents & Trade Marks, Personnel Development, Trusts & Estates, Venture Capital, etc.

BEST STAND PRIZES

Ackrill Media Group Editor, Jean MacQuarrie toured the Yorkshire Business Market several times and judged the best stands for both design and approach in three stand size categories. The winners were:

Best Small Stand:  Harrogate Holiday Cottages

Commended:  Absolute Contract Interiors; Buddy Design; HBC Business Rates

Best Medium Stand:  hr180

Commended:   Berwins Solicitors; Platinum Group; Synergy Automotive

Best Large Stand:   Cedar Court Hotel

Commended: Aspect Design & Marketing; McCormicks Solicitors; The Jespers Office

The winners were each presented with a Best Stand Certificates plus a large iced Celebration Cake specially decorated for the Yorkshire Business Market by Betty’s & Taylor’s.

Click here to see pictures of the winning and running up stands.

EXHIBITOR FEEDBACK ANALYSIS

Over half of the exhibitors completed Feedback Forms with many glowing testimonials to the success of the event. Analysis of Forms received to date shows that the event met or exceeded the expectations of over 92% of the exhibitors responding.  93% wish to take part in a similar event in 2009 and the overwhelming majority of respondents (95%) would like it to be on the same day and month.  28% of respondents would like more space next year – and nobody one wants less space! 

The venue proved very popular with 96% of respondents satisfied with the Pavilion’s facilities and service.  Likewise the event promotion, organisation and administration satisfied 94% of respondents.

So the Chamber has booked the Pavilions of Harrogate again for Monday 26th April 2010.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF THE 2010 YORKSHIRE BUSINESS MARKET CONTACT:

Brian L Dunsby, Chief Executive or Maggie Hall, Chamber Administrator –

Tel: 01423 879208 (2 lines)  Fax: 01423 870025; E-mail: info@yorkshirebusinessmarket.org

Web site: www.yorkshirebusinessmarket.org   

promoted by: Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce

PO Box 8, Harrogate, HG2 8XB   Tel: 01423 879208  Fax:  01423 870025

E-mail: info@harrogatechamber.org    Website: www.harrogatechamber.org