Expo is a Big Success for Business

Media Release
for Immediate Relase

Expo is a Big Success for Business
The 2006 Small Business Expo fulfills its objectives

Auckland, 24 May 2006 – The Small Business Expo was a big hit over all three days attracting over 7,400 attendees visiting more than 270 exhibitor sites at the ASB Showgrounds.

Some of the key features of the Small Business Expo included the Microsoft Seminar Series, where 3,200 people heard 43 inspirational speakers including Microsoft’s Platform Strategy Manager Brett Roberts, discuss topics ranging from the future of online and mobile technology to new media marketing.

Sarah Trotman, small business sector specialist and organiser of the Expo, is pleased with the results.

“I think both the exhibitors and the many thousands of attendees benefited from the Expo, which is the largest event held for business in New Zealand” says Trotman. “As a one-stop shop and business to business marketplace, there was a lot of interaction and dialogue between everyone involved in the SME Sector, from businesses offering services, to business owner attendees looking for support and tailored business solutions.”

Roger Bell, Chief Executive of Vero says that it is widely recognised that SME owners face the challenge of taking care of day-to-day business while also trying to build future capability.

“The Small Business Expo informed business owners of quality products and services that improve their ability to juggle the ‘here and now’ with the future needs of a business”, says Mr. Bell.

The award for the Top Small Site went to Toi Maori Aotearoa, the Most Inviting Site award went to Vero, while Vodafone won the Top Corporate Site award with Graphic Impact taking out the most interactive site. In addition, there was a fantastic array of interactive displays including exotic sports cars from a Lamborghini to a Mini, as well as hi-tech toys such as the Segway human transporter.

The Vodafone Business Mentoring Service was also a success with over 100 business owners taking the opportunity to seek advice on everything from tax advice to preparing a business plan from the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The youbiz cyber café provided broadband connectivity for the busy small business owner on the go, and in 2007 there are plans for a dynamic and highly interactive information zone.

Te Puni Kokiri’s newly established Maori Business Development Zone was one of the most popular areas of the Expo. It featured seven Maori organisations who all work toward developing new and existing Maori business, and supporting the growth of business in Aotearoa in general.

The dates for next year’s Small Business Expo are 30 May to 1 June 2007. This will be held again at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.

ENDS