More than 50 companies from across the region took part in the Staffs In-Business Show, held at the Burntwood Leisure Centre earlier this month.

The trade fair was hosted by Staffordshire regeneration organisation British Business Parks and the event featured companies from some of the 11 BBP-managed industrial estates across the region.

Vanessa Emery, Business Coordinator for BBP, said that the exhibitors had been full of praise for the event and believed it had been a great success.

“We received a lot of support from the companies involved and all felt it had been useful in promoting their products and services to a wider audience.

“In addition, many companies said they had been able to source new customers, suppliers and products.

“This is very encouraging for us and justifies our faith in organising the show, which I am sure will now become a regular event.”

The exhibition, opened by Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, also corresponded with BBPs overall plan of encouraging firms to work together for mutual benefit.

“BBP is currently responsible for parks in Cannock, Rugeley, Burntwood, Walsall, Wolverhampton and north Worcestershire. Our aim is to make business parks more attractive propositions for industry by tackling problems such as crime and subsequently encouraging firms to invest money on improvements.

“We also urge companies based in a given area to work together to create a better business environment, while helping them take advantage of a range of products and services,” said Mrs Emery.

“This is why the exhibition was so important not just for the companies involved, but also for the whole of the Midlands’ economy,” she added.

The event also attracted a prestigious list of sponsors, including London and Cambridge Properties, UK Trade and Investment, Lichfield District Council, the Staffordshire Business Environment Network, Lantra, and the Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Several of these were among the exhibitors and they also declared themselves pleased with the show.