ONE of the south's premier business-to-business exhibitions is aiming to be bigger and better than ever when it opens at St Mary's Stadium in March.

The Daily Echo-backed event attracted 1,819 visitors to 115 exhibiting businesses last year and organisers are looking to surpass that figure this time around.

There are only 20 exhibitor spaces left and event organisers, JobServe Events, are confident that they will pass all targets for Business South.

The show takes a fresh approach to creating opportunities for business.

Exhibitors will be able to pitch their services and products to a huge range of buyers from organisations ranging in size from start-ups to blue chips.

But the event aims to add some fun to the process.

This year the event will offer a business advice zone, new business zone and an international zone and will also feature a range of free workshops and seminars as well as a VIP reception.

Martin Britt, managing director of Absolute Technology (UK), set up a stall last year and reaped the rewards. He said: "This is a fantastic event and would fully recommend to anyone thinking of raising their company profile.

"I have obtained really good leads and think the organisation of the event was brilliant."

JobServe Events project manager Rachel Fellows said: "St Mary's Stadium has proved an ideal location for businesses to expand their network of suppliers and customers, to learn about how to do better business and to fire up their imagination with fresh ideas in an entertaining way.

The positive feedback from last year means we're happy this show has become a welcome addition to business opportunities in Southampton and way beyond."

Information on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at Business South 2008 is available from Hayley Miller. Tel: 01823 250930 or e-mail info@jobserveevents.com.