THE annual Ipswich and Suffolk Small Business Association (ISSBA) Suffolk Business Exhibition takes place tomorrow, May 1, at Trinity Park in Ipswich. Here, ISSBA chairman Roger Barcham looks forward to the most important date in the business group’s calendar

OUR flagship event, the Suffolk Business Exhibition, is bigger than ever. There are more stands, companies and organisations supporting the event than ever before.

As always, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce are our main partners, to whom we offer a huge thank you. Also, this year, Suffolk County Council has recognised the importance of the exhibition by becoming our second tier partners and pledging their support for three years.

With the continued support of our many regular sponsors, SBE 2013 should be an even greater success than any before. This stability of funding has also allowed us to invest in a new booking and visitor tracking technology, which will enable us to promote the event even further.

I will share our strategic vision for the future with our exhibitors at the Exhibitor Networking Breakfast, including the launch of a three-year ISSBA membership offer. This will give members a priority early booking opportunity, prior to general release of exhibition stands for future Suffolk Business Exhibitions.

We are also launching a three-year Suffolk Business Exhibition sponsorship package. Visit the ISSBA stand at the event for more information or log onto our website www.issba.co.uk

Now for some thank yous! I would like to thank all those sponsors on behalf of the committee and the membership. Without your continued support this event would not be possible. And in no particular order, the following organisations have helped with sponsorship, mentoring, teaching and advice.

FSB, Basepoint, Dummett Copp, Ipswich Borough Council, Jackamans, NWES, Scrutton Bland, React Computer Partnership, BDO, New Media Business Group, Boleyn Events, Double S Design, Virtual Zone, BT, UK Trade & Industry, Millriver Publicity, Seckford Hall, Trinity Park, Suffolk New College, the Ipswich Electrifiers and Archant, for helping us with publicity and promotional material for the event.

Sincere thanks also to our members and exhibitors for the professional way you present yourselves on the day, without this SBE would never have attracted the support your efforts deserve.

Here’s to a day of networking and doing business with each other. With some fantastic trade stands, I am sure that all who attend will take away with them some added business knowledge and some new contacts. And for exhibitors, looking to expand their business footprint, a successful day of promoting their businesses and services. Every year we get feedback telling us how much you have enjoyed the day, making contacts that will bring potential new opportunities in the future. Suffolk has great potential and this event is the perfect way to showcase what Suffolk businesses have to offer.

Finally, don’t miss the workshops in the Start up business area, sponsored by NWES. We have some great speakers offering sound advice on key business issues.

Have a great show, enjoy the day, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.