Time to diary NZ’s biggest business event

Time to diary NZ’s biggest business event

Business people, architects, accountants, lawyers and retailers are among the thousands each year who make the Small Business Expo (now run in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) New Zealand’s largest event for business and a “must go” activity.

Nearly 90% of business owners who attended the last expo told researchers they would return for the 2008 event.

More than 13,000 are expected to attend all three expos this year which will be held in Auckland from 16-18 April, Christchurch from 20-22 May and Wellington 25-27 June. The Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards will be announced at a gala black tie event on 17 April at the ASB Showgrounds as part of the Small Business Expo.

With 200 exhibitors expected to sign up, this year’s Small Business Expo is an annual one-stop-shop for business owners. It will provide information that business people can use everyday as well as being a showcase for new products and ideas for owners of small to medium-size businesses according to organiser Sarah Trotman.

As Trotman explains, most business owners frequently think about growth, retaining customers and improving their business but many are so caught up in the day-to-day running of their business that they can’t find the time to do it. The Small Business Expo fills this gap.

Trotman adds, “With the support of our sponsors Auckland City Council, OGGI, Genesis Energy and NewstalkZB, the event will be bigger and better this year and we urge all business owners in the greater Auckland area to put aside time to get to the most useful business event they’re likely to attend this year.”

Julie Nolan from Stellar Management in Hamilton visited the Auckland Small Business Expo last year. “I was so impressed with the fantastic upmarket layout that when I walked in I went ‘wow’! I found useful information on payroll, systems management, website and marketing information as well as many new options and products I didn’t even know existed.”

Claire Drake from Limited Editions found the Wellington Expo excellent for her interior design business. “The business area was very useful with everyone handing out really good information, especially Statistics NZ. I also found a great option for a computer back-up system.”

The National Bank Seminar Series has 40 experts presenting highly-usable ideas and facts – the seminars – free to all ticket holders – and runs for all three days of the expo.

People will also find it easier to get around the expo this year because information zones for business have been set up – they include the Statistics New Zealand Business Information Zone, the Ministry of Economic Development Online with Business Zone, the Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Business Development Zone and the new Genesis Energy Sustainability Zone.

The event is being held at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds from16-18 April, at the Christchurch Convention Centre from 20-22 May and in Wellington’s TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, from 25-27 June. Tickets are $20, available at the door or online and include attendance to all three days of the expo, all the exhibition halls and The National Bank Seminar Series.

Independent research found 59% of business owners buy a product or service at the Small Business Expo and 65% of those who don't, buy one within three months.

The Small Business Expo 2008 website has full details of the speakers and topics being covered in The National Bank Seminar Series. From the website, www.businessexpo.co.nz prospective attendees can:
- book exhibition space;
- purchase tickets online;
- pre-register for specific sessions of The National Bank Seminar Series;

ENDS

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