Small business exhibition space is selling fast

By ELLEN READ

A specialist business expo targeting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has secured five major sponsors and has bookings for one of three available exhibition halls, even though the event it is planning does not open until April 29.

That success shows the concept is long overdue, said Sarah Trotman, a director of Spring Group, which is behind the expo.

Although exhibitor space only officially went on sale this week, already one of the three expo halls booked at the Auckland Showgrounds had been fully committed.

The expo will target owners and operators of businesses in the SME category, which traditionally have fewer than 20 employees and a turnover of less than $5 million a year.

"The business expo will very much prove the need for a permanent mall for business in Auckland - another of Spring's initiatives well under way," Trotman said.

Her vision is for a one-stop shop for those small-business owners whose time is at a premium and who want to take care of practical issues, such as the purchase a mobile phone or the organisation of an electronic payroll process, while at the same time being able to evaluate their business growth and support options.

There are more than 108,000 SMEs within the Auckland region and the expo organisers are hoping to attract more than 10,000 business visitors.

The three halls of exhibitors, who have had experience in catering for the needs of small and medium sized business, will cover marketing, telecommunications, computers, finance, transport, office products, education, property, compliance and support.

Plans are now under way to develop a speaker series on how to enhance business performance.

Su Duffy, head of small business marketing for Telecom, said it was rare to be able to speak directly and exclusively to small business owners across a range of sectors.

"Small business owners have unique needs and different product requirements, and we are really looking forward to this chance to focus on them exclusively in an event environment," she said.

Visitors to the business expo will also have the opportunity win over $10,000 worth of prizes. The sponsors are Boise Office Solutions, Telecom, NZ Couriers, Auckland University of Technology and the New Zealand Herald.

Companies wishing to market to small businesses can contact Spring Group on 09 921 9318 to secure exhibition space.