BUSINESSES from across Hampshire have flocked to Southampton today to take part in South Coast Business Works.

The Daily Echo event brings firms together to discuss the best practices and network with one another.

More than 400 visitors came to see to more than 40 exhibitors representing a broad range of business from the region, from accountants to private detectives, barristers to website designers.

Keynote speaker Elaine Holt, vice president of Carnival Cruises, packed out the seminar room for her talk on "Standing Out from the Crowd" in which she outlined how P&O Cruises attracted and maintained their loyal customer base.

A key part of their success was Southampton itself when arriving passengers could travel rom kerb to cabin" in 30 minutes she told her audience.

There was a full-house for Carl Churchill, managing director NetPay Solutions, who spoke about USP (unique selling points) telling his audince that value not price was the key selling point. He underlined this point with the example of two apples - one fresh and one rotten - and asking who would buy the rotten one just because it was half price?

A big crowd also attended a special question time hosted by local PR-man Lee Peck, in which the expert panel fielded an array questions including what could be done to get more women into top roles in business, how could schools prepare pupils better for work and how Southampton could become a visitor destination.

Following that there was a speed networking session in which participants swapped, information and business cards as they moved round the room.

The event was sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors, with event partners Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Destination Southampton