On Thursday 17 October, both floors of Norwich City Football Club were packed with the region’s very best businesses showcasing their products and services to the Norfolk business community.
Over 60 exhibitors were divided into six different business zones, wowing the 500+ delegates that attended with their quality and range of services.
Abi charter, Events Manager at Norfolk Chamber said “Ranging from large national corporate brands such as Lloyds Bank and PC World, through to independent start up businesses such as Anglia Sander Sales Training and Zealify, exhibitors at the B2B epitomize the Chamber membership network; where else could you get such a range of businesses under one roof? It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, if you’re in business in Norfolk, you need to be part of the Chamber.”
The official opening of the B2B Exhibition 2013 was carried out by Johnny Hustler, MD of Archant Anglia, who encouraged Norfolk Businesses to shout about what they do. Johnny commented “Norfolk is spectacularly successful at breeding and encouraging new,
small, exciting firms full of dynamism and promise. I might be biased, because I have spent the last 35 years trying to market one thing or another, but I am convinced that marketing is every-bit as important an ingredient in your business as your people, your skills or your product. And if we could get every new business to agree with this – Norfolk would indeed be buzzing. There is no shortage of enterprise in this county but there is a shortage of shouting about it. So full marks to everyone who is strutting their stuff here today, you are shouting about it, and deserve success”.
The exhibitors did not waste any time heeding Johnny’s words of advice, and took to twitter to let the world know they were there, ready and waiting to meet them. The 2013 exhibition saw a record level of social media interaction, with the networking not being confined to the physical but virtual networking taking place well after the exhibition had closed its doors.
- @AdamNorthcut “@LornaBurroughes lovely to meet you. A fantastic exhibition hosted by @norfolkchamber Everyone I spoke to said it was a huge success!”
- @RTodd Insurance “Phoo – just back from @norfolkchamber #B2B2B2B Good day. Several new contacts and opportunities made. Now for the important bit-FOLLOW UP!”
- @InsightTrack “Good visit to B2B Exhibition at Carrow Road, useful re-connects and new connects, thanks for hosting @norfolkchamber”
- @Selectplanner “@norfolkchamber #B2B2B My first visit to a B2B exhibition today and certainly not my last, thank you.”
- @ChrisReeve “At Carrow Road @norfolkchamber event #B2B2B – Getting connected with some great contacts within the #Norfolk business network.”
The 60+ strong exhibitors had not only stepped up their social media presence for the exhibition, they had also gone to town with their stand designs. The Henderson Business Centre’s design incorporated a giant bright green Chinese Dragon head to attract passers by. Hussey Knights, who were awarded the highly sought after Best Stand Award 2013, featured a variety of different print formats that made their space stand out from others.
In addition to the exhibition, delegates also had the opportunity to hear national speakers in specialist workshops hosted by Hewlett Packard, Archant and UK Bullion Direct and learn business-improvement tips from Norfolk’s ‘Big Thinkers’ during best practice sessions.
The best practice session speakers were selected to enthuse other businesses with their motivation, their secrets of success and included a real mix of backgrounds and levels of experience. From upcoming Future 50 companies such as Indigo Swan to established brands like Naked Wines, there were tips for every business.
One delegate listened to Rachel Paul of Consult East’s session & tweeted “Rrefreshingly reflective presentation from @consulteast’s Rachel @norfolkchamber #B2B2B captivating session”. The workshops provided expert advice and top tips across three varied subject areas.
Siam Kidd of UK Bullion Direct delivered an engaging workshop entitled“How not to get financially mugged – the importance of investing”. Archant’s Jamie Brown provided a hands-on approach to“Online Marketing – Making Websites Work”in his workshop, and the final speaker Marc Hollyoak of Hewlett Packard talked to attendees about “Innovation and the HP Hot House”.
Norwich Business School hosted the B2B 2013 VIP Reception, in which a presentation for Dr Jonathan Gander, the Director of Employability at Norwich Business School, took a few minutes to talk about theGraduate Trainee Management Scheme.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber officially closed the exhibition stating “This year’s B2B Exhibition has been amazing, I am so proud of our Members that exhibited. We have had a record number of visitors for this event which I hope will translate into business for you.”
Caroline went on to say “Without the support from our sponsors, Archant, Norse, Norwich Business School and Osbornenash, this would not have been possible.”
The next Norfolk Chamber exhibition takes place as part of the larger Opportunities 2014 event on Thursday 20 March 2014. It’s a Meet the Buyer incorporating a B2B exhibition and will be held at Norwich City Football Club. If you’re thinking about raising your profile amongst the Norfolk Business community and are contemplating exhibiting, don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some of our exhibitors had to say about the day;
@EposNow “Thanks for a great day @norfolkchamber – looking forward to next year! #NowTheWorkBegins !” @TradedUK “Thank you @norfolkchamber for a great event. Thanks to Norfolk Businesses we raised £1600 for schools on launch day.” @NorwichforJobs “We’ve had a great day at @norfolkchamber B2B exhibition engaging with employers about their needs & how #N4J can help” @HughJBoswell “Good flow of traffic at the @norfolkchamber B2B. Looking promising for the afternoon!”
The exhibition got picked up in the local press as a key event for the business community, read the article entitled “Businesses descend on Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s B2B event”here.
View the event Supplement, full of the exhibitors detailshere.
