biggest business event for Hawke's Bay businesses is getting bigger and better, with this year's UnisonFibre Business Expo to be held at Pettigrew Green Arena September 7 and 8.
UnisonFibre sales and marketing manager Wayne Baird said the partnership between UnisonFibre and the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce had its sights
set high for the region's economy.
"This partnership and the Expo theme of Connecting Business and People represents our aim of seeing the region's business community thrive and compete on the world stage," he said.
Chamber chief executive Murray Douglas said he was looking forward to the partnership continuing for a third year.
"We are pleased to be working together to showcase the best of Hawke's Bay business.
"The Expo has become an annual highlight for the region and other regions and chambers are now looking to replicate this model," he said.
More than 80 different companies were expected to showcase their products and services, along with a range of speakers and workshops.
The Minister for Small Business, Maurice Williamson, was keen to visit the Expo after being fogbound last year.
"The chamber will be hosting a special meeting with the minister, providing the perfect opportunity for business people to hear any plans straight from the minister and to provide feedback about what we need to do here in the Bay," said Mr Douglas.
The Expo programme, which ran from 10am to 6pm, would be released over the coming months. Event organiser Shaun Lines said there could be further announcements.
"The chamber is talking with major brands and dealmakers about having a presence here in Hawke's Bay," Mr Lines said.
Mr Douglas said UnisonFibre was a particularly appropriate sponsor because the future for Hawke's Bay business was in technology.
"Technology is right-in-centre of future business but nowhere near enough is it central in current thinking - 'business as usual' will not be good enough in 20-50 years."
