Anticipation is building with less than a week to go before delegates gather for the region’s biggest free business event.
Organisers hope to welcome up to 3,000 delegates to Business Showcase South West 2015 next Thursday and Friday.
Star attractions include keynote speakers ‘Millionaires’ Mentor’ Bev James and Levi Roots of Reggae Reggae Sauce and Dragons’ Den fame on Thursday, with industry icon Gerald Ratner and Stella English, former winner of BBC’s The Apprentice, on Friday. 
The event, now in its second year, returns to Colston Hall in Bristol with free networking and learning opportunities including seminars. Last year Business Showcase South West welcomed hundreds of delegates and 91 exhibitors over one day – this year, over two days, it will be much bigger.
Event sponsors for 2015 are Enterprise Rent-a-Car, First Great Western and Barclays.
Business Showcase South West 2015 celebrates the best in innovation, creativity and enterprise. Free to delegates, it offers a unique opportunity to network and make new connections, as well as to hear from leading keynote speakers.
Networking opportunities include speed networking, 4 Networking breakfasts, and an invitation-only reception for the region’s leading CEOs.
Companies to have already secured their exhibition stands range from Business West and Bristol law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards to Radisson Blu and Nuffield Health.
New exhibitors for this year include the SS Great Britain and Avon Wildlife Trust’s Folly Farm Centre, which both offer unique venue hire space for corporates.
Technology is also represented with exhibitors including Cloud Direct, which is also hosting one of the seminars. Other companies running seminars are event sponsors Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Barclays, and exhibitor Nuffield Health.
Keynote speaker Bev James, chief executive officer of The Coaching Academy and best known for her book ‘Do it! Or Ditch It’, said: “I am looking forward to sharing insights and practical advice on motivating staff, increasing productivity, growing business and the impact of mentoring on the bottom line.”
Bev, who is also director of mentoring for Start Up Loans, added: “This event will make a positive and lasting difference to delegates’ success in business through the keynote speeches and seminars, and its many networking opportunities.”
Director of Business Showcase South West Jamie Breese said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the region’s business people to this event, which this year champions innovation, creativity and enterprise.
“Business Showcase South West is the event to attend to forge long-lasting business connections, to learn from business leaders and to be inspired by our keynote speakers. I would urge anyone interested in attending to book their free pass now.”
Business Showcase South West is endorsed by leading figures from Professor Steve West, vice chancellor of UWE and president of Business West, to the Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson CBE.
Bath Business News and its sister titles Bristol Business News and Swindon Business News are media partners for the prestigious show.
- To book free delegate passes and for more information on exhibition stands and other promotional opportunities please go to www.showcase2015.com.
- Go to www.firstgreatwestern/offers/conferences and select the 'Bristol' tab for the discount train travel offer for delegates.
