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Click
here for more pictures of the event
At
2pm on Monday, 30th April, Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce’s
President, John Hart welcomed exhibitors and visitors to the third
Business market, which was formally opened by the Mayor of Harrogate,
Councillor Geoff Webber who said, “The Harrogate District has enjoyed
considerable success over the past few years, but only through facing
challenges and coming up with innovative solutions. At the heart of
Harrogate
’s success is a vibrant local business community, many of who are
represented here today. Local businesses are the bedrock on which our
continued economic success depends.”
 Local MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, Phil Willis concluded the
opening ceremony saying, “We have actually got 104 businesses, not
only saying what they are doing, but actually networking with each other
to try to make the whole of our economy that much better and stronger.”
From
2pm to 7pm several hundred visitors streamed through the doors into the
exhibition with many taking advantage of the business
seminars run by NatWest, The Trinity Foundation, DSC Chartered
Accountants and Berwins Solicitors. Business Link York and
North Yorkshire
also held complimentary Business Clinics for
anyone whose business needed a helping hand.
Over 100 exhibitors took up more space than last year, meaning the
cafeteria facilities had to be moved outside!
Visitors were delighted with the great diversity of companies
represented at the event and luckily the sunshine meant visitors could
enjoy al fresco refreshments and a relaxed networking atmosphere.
Yorkshire
Event Centre General Manager, Robert Whiteley said, “Pavilions of
Harrogate were delighted to host the Business Market once more and look
forward to an even bigger and better event next year.”
Make sure you put 28th
April 2008 in your diary for the next year's event
 This
year’s winners of the Best Stands were each presented with a decorated
cake made by Bettys and Taylors Group. The successful companies were:
Best
Small Stand: Crown Hotel
Best
Medium Stand: The Trinity Foundation
Best
Large Stand:
Harrogate
International Centre
Click
here for a full list of runners
up and photos of winning stands.
Viv
Graham, Marketing Executive of
Harrogate
International Centre said the Business Market had been an effective way to
raise awareness of what their company has to offer. Another exhibitor,
Nicola Outhwaite of Eddie Brown Tours said, “I thought the diversity
and range of exhibitors and visitors was excellent. It was an enjoyable
and successful event.”
Dawn Kenny of Harrogate &
District NHS Foundation Trust, said they were “Proud to be recognised
as part of a flourishing and innovative local business community. It had
been an excellent opportunity for networking and developing local
partnership working.”
Chamber
Chief Executive, Brian Dunsby, was delighted with the success of this
year’s event and said, “We had a record size of exhibition coupled
with double the number of visitors. Initial feedback shows that exhibitors
would like even more space and longer hours next year!
We would like to extend our thanks, not only to Pavilions of
Harrogate for hosting the event, but also to Ackrill Media Group, Business
Link York and
North Yorkshire
, Harrogate International Centre and Yorkshire Forward for supporting this
event in various ways.”
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