AN EVENT described as the biggest business-to-business expo in the region is to return to the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

More than 1,000 people are expected at the Hampshire Business Show, which will bring together hundreds of businesses from across the south coast.

It will take place on Thursday, October 20, sponsored by Southampton law firm Paris Smith LLP, Portsmouth marketing agency Vertical Leap and Oxford-based start-up support business, Oxford Innovation and more.

There will be 15 speakers from across Hampshire, from a range of industries, including marketing agency owner Jade Scotney and entrepreneur Chris Schutrups.

More than 100 businesses will exhibit at the event, which will give business owners and professionals of all backgrounds the opportunity to connect anda win new business. The show will span two floors, with two seminar zones and a keynote stage.

A keynote speaker will be revealed later itn he year.

Last year saw talks from motivational speaker Brad Burton and entrepreneur and TV personality Baroness Karren Brady.

The show’s founder, Josh Mitchell said: “Last year was the first year post-covid that the event went ahead, and it was one of the first big business events in the diary after lockdown.

“We were incredibly pleased with the event and had feedback that the attendees gained a huge amount of value in the way of connecting with others and winning business.

‘This year we’d like to see even more business being passed off the back of the event. Hopefully as a region we can grow the business community even more and continue to boost the economy with the work that we do.”

This year, the event’s charity partner is Basingstoke based charity EBP South, which connects businesses and schools across the central South.

Sponsorship packages are available for businesses looking to feature on the show’s merchandise and in its marketing activities.

Free tickets can be booked at hampshirebusinessshow.com