Record number sign up for largest business event

Record number sign up for largest event for business

Record numbers have pre-registered for the Bizzone Business Expo which opens in Auckland on Wednesday, 27 May.

More than 4000 people - a record number - have pre-registered for this year's Bizzone Business Expo which opens in Auckland on Wednesday. Bizzone is expecting 13,000 people to attend the expo in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this year, making it the largest event for business in New Zealand.

Organisers say these more challenging times mean more business owners need support and that's what the expo is offering. Eleven government organisations and 200 exhibitors plus free seminars, free mentoring and free workshops are attracting business owners. Also popular is the Smart Marketing School that teaches business owners how to simplify and clarify their marketing approach, a great opportunity for all business owners when budgets are being cut.

Business support specialist Sarah Trotman says the Bizzone Business Expo is the only expo in the country where exhibitor numbers are above target and show sites throughout the country are now nearly full. It has also received strong sponsorship from Auckland City Council, NewstalkZB, The New Zealand Herald, OGGI and the Marketing Association.

Trotman has taken out billboards around Auckland stating “We ♥ business” and believes her positive attitude has also encouraged people to support the Bizzone Business Expo.

“While times are challenging for people in business right now it is vital to stay positive,” Sarah Trotman says. “The Bizzone Business Expo was set up to offer great business support so people could stand tall and be confident about their business model. When business is tougher it is even more important to keep standards high and focus on delivering excellence for your customers, and make sure you take time out to find out where you can be improving and how.”

The number of exhibitors at the Bizzone Business Expo in Auckland will be the same as in 2008 and exhibitor numbers for the expo in Wellington in July and Christchurch in August expos are on target at 85% full already.

“At our expos, our 300-plus exhibitors are 100% committed to achieving results for the people who attend,” Sarah Trotman says. “Everyone who comes to the expo goes away with a new idea or product that actually helps them achieve better results in their business.”

Visitor pre-registrations are at 4000 already for Auckland - tracking higher than in 2008. More than 13,000 attended all three expos in 2008 and organisers are expecting more in 2009.

This year’s expo theme is ‘smart marketing’ and a $100,000 smart marketing prize is on offer to everyone attending. Registrations are also strong for this year’s keynote speakers: Davey Hughes, founder of Swazi NZ (1pm 27 May); Raymond Henderson from Raymond Salon de Coiffure (1pm 28 May); and David Johnson, chairman and founder of Trends Publishing International (1pm 29 May).

On Budget night 28 May the Prime Minister will present the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards at a gala dinner during the expo.

The Bizzone Business Expo is on at the Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane, from 27-29 May. It is in Wellington from 22-24 July and Christchurch 5-7 August.

To register for the Bizzone Business Expo and The National Bank Seminar Series go to www.bizzone.com

The Bizzone Business Expo is on:

Auckland, ASB Showgrounds from 27-29 May

Wellington, TSB Arena from 22-24 July

Christchurch, Convention Centre from 5-7 August.

Ends

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