ONE of the largest gatherings of the region's top businessmen and women in living memory takes place in Southampton on Thursday.

More than 350 high-profile figures, including millionaire entrepreneurs, chief executives, lords and vice-presidents, gather for a conference and silver service lunch on the liner Queen Mary 2.

The event, hosted by city legal firm Paris Smith & Randall for its UK-wide clients, generated more than 1,400 inquiries as word spread like wildfire about the hottest networking ticket in town.

Guests include Saints chairman Rupert Lowe, his Portsmouth FC counterpart Milan Mandaric, Tory peer Lord Northbrook, QM2 master Commodore Ronald Warwick, directors from shipbuilder VT Group, Sky sports presenter Jeff Stelling, and Dan Quayle, one of the founders of DIY empire B&Q.

Others include Bill Wakeham, vice-chancellor of Southampton University, city council chief executive Brad Roynon, local property developer Tim Titheridge, insolvency specialist Antony Fanshawe and Jimmy Chest-nutt, director-general of Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce.

The audience, before lunching in the imposing Britannia Restaurant, will hear an address by HSBC chief executive Dennis Turner entitled Where Do We Go from Here?

For Richard Smith, senior partner at Paris Smith & Randall, the event will be an extra special occasion.

His father, Captain George Smith, captained QE2, and Commodore Ronald Warwick is a friend, their fathers having served on a number of Cunard ships together.

Richard said: "The partners at Paris Smith & Randall are looking forward to welcoming everyone on board.

"We are grateful to Cunard for allowing us to stage our conference on such a prestigious ship.

"Dennis Turner has a great reputation for his informative and witty speeches, so we are assured of an enjoyable and unique event."

Neil King, Cunard's international sales director, said: "We are delighted to work with Paris Smith & Randall on this first ever in-port event."

The conference, which takes place from 9am to 2.30pm, coincides with turnaround day - 2,600 passengers will disembark, while the same number embark later in readiness for the 6pm departure for a six-night crossing to New York.