The South Wilts Business Expo 2003 under way at Salisbury's City Hall last Wednesday. DA3938P02THE buzz coming out of Salisbury's City Hall last Wednesday signalled one thing - South Wilts Business Expo 2003 was a great success.

The business-to-business exhibition comprised nearly 60 stands and attracted a steady flow of visitors.

Andrew Hodder, president of Salisbury and district chamber of commerce and industry, which staged the event, was very pleased.

He said: "When I came into the hall, the noise level was amazing. I said to myself 'I think we have a success on our hands'."

Expo organiser and chamber executive officer Delia Hubbard said the response from the public had been much better than expected.

"The public were coming in and everyone was doing business - that's what it was all about," she said.

Visitors not only toured the stands and entered the competitions but took time out to attend the seminars.

These included The Digital Office, presented by Peter Staines, managing director of SMS Office Equipment and Jamie May, of Canon - both sponsors of the event.

"This is all about selling Salisbury," said Mr Staines. "I hope that in the future we can make it a two-day exhibition."

Also supporting the event were Salisbury Newspapers, Business Link, Salisbury district council and radio station Spire FM.

District council vice-chairman Patrick Paisey said the exhibition had been very professionally presented.

"It has attracted a wide variety of exhibitors," he said. "This is good for Salisbury."

George Trytsman, of Business Link, agreed. "What we have experienced is terrific networking," he said. "Expo has provided an opportunity for all businesses, some of whom are from out of area, to translate that networking into business.

"It has enabled us to promote south Wiltshire to the wider market place and my hope is that next year, and in subsequent years, we shall be able to attract even more people and businesses from our neighbouring counties."

Away from the serious business of making sales, there was entertainment from Jonathan the Jester, juggling while riding a unicycle. And for the fashion conscious, Diana Barber and Daphne Grant modelled a range of outfits from clothing company Weekenders UK.

On the night before Expo, exhibitors and sponsors gathered in the Guildhall for the perfect curtain-raiser - an hilarious presentation by dynamic business speaker Geoff Burch.