PLANS for South Wilts Business Expo 2004 are under way and this year's event promises to be another winner.

The business exhibition, which will be held at City Hall, Salisbury, on September 29, was so successful last year that organiser Salisbury and district chamber of commerce was in no doubt that it should be repeated.

Chamber president Andrew Hodder described the 2003 inaugural event as "amazing" and declared

immediately after the event: "We have a success on our hands."

Visitors to next month's event, which is open to everyone, will be able to tour nearly 60 stands, take part in competitions and attend seminars on a variety of topics.

Exhibition stands, most of which have now been snapped up, will feature computer and office equipment, food and wine, healthcare, professional, financial and recruitment services, fashion, engineering and lots more.

Salisbury Newspapers, Business Link, the south Wiltshire and Kennet learning partnership, and the chamber are also taking stands.

George Trytsman, of Business Link, said last year's Expo had given businesses "terrific networking and provided an opportunity to translate that networking into business".

"It enabled us to promote south Wiltshire to the wider market place," he said.

Chamber executive officer Delia Hembury said the stands for this year's event had sold very quickly.

"We have just a handful left," she said.

"Expo will show everyone what excellent businesses we have on our doorstep - we want as many people as possible to come along.

"One of the businesses who exhibited last year told me that everyone who took part said 'this was the place to be'."

Mrs Hembury will be speaking tomorrow at the Grasmere House Hotel, Harnham, to Salisbury business networking club Ambassadors, about Expo and what is happening in the chamber of commerce.

"We have a lot going on, a new website and a lot of new members," she said.

On September 14, the chamber is hosting a networking lunch at the White Hart Hotel, at which public relations consultant Jackie Neylon and Salisbury Newspapers' publisher Bill Browne will be speaking.

And in December, Salisbury MP Robert Key will be guest of honour at another networking lunch in Salisbury.

o Expo runs from 9am to 5.30pm on September 29 and entry is free.