NETWORKING will be at the fore at this year's Horley Business Expo.
Following the success of last year's inaugural event, the Horley Local Business Group is working to ensure they keep momentum going.
Chairman of the Horley Chamber of Commerce, Fiona Stimpson, hopes the event will show the town's potential as a business hub.
"What we're trying to do is promote local business and tell everyone we are here in Horley," she told the Mirror.
"Everyone focuses on the top end of the borough and Crawley, so Horley is the forgotten town sandwiched in the middle.
"But Horley is smack in the middle of the South East, we have got trains, motorways, the airport; our position is so good for business.
"We just wish more people would come here."
After a slow start, she says the event is now coming together with a flurry of exhibitors signed up in the last week to show off their businesses to others.
With more than two months still to go, 23 of the 42 stands are already sold.
The keynote speakers will be marketing guru Dee Blick and social media expert Veronica Pullen, while businesses including BMW and Basepoint, Crawley, have signed on as sponsors.
"It is going very well," Miss Stimpson said.
"Having big business always helps."
While the group has attempted to address problems, such as parking, from last year's event, they are also keen to build on the strengths.
Students from Oakwood School will guide guests and help on stalls once again after receiving widespread praise for their work at last year's event.
"A lot of people said they hadn't seen that at such events before," said Miss Stimpson, also a governor at the school.
"The link is very important, it is symbiotic – they are helping us and we can help raise the school's profile."
The expo will take place at the Holiday Inn Gatwick, Povey Cross Road, Horley, on April 26.
For information, visit www.horleybusinessexpo.co.uk
