BUSINESS showcase The Big Bolton Expo 2016 is well on its way to being a sell-out.

The event at The Bridge Conference Centre in Bradford Street on Wednesday, June 29 boasts 75 stands so far, with only 10 left for exhibitors, plus 10 stands for nominated local charities.

The popular annual Expo, organised by marketing and support organisation thebestofbolton, regularly draws hundreds of delegates and results in thousands of pounds worth of business.

It also attracts an impressive line-up of sponsors, including this year main sponsor RBS. Media sponsors are the Bolton News and Bolton FM, event sponsors Fieldings Porter and Global Policing, food sponsors are Carrs Pasties and the refreshments’ sponsor is Rijo42.

A welcome drink is supplied by Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme, the show guide by Print Hub Design, delegate bags are provided by the Kip McGrath Education Centre in Bolton and the car park is sponsored by BCC Cars.

David and Gaynor Ramsden, who own thebestofbolton, are delighted with the interest shown so far and confident of the 2016 event. Stated Mr Ramsden: “We are hugely excited to bring this event to the Bridge Conference Centre for the sixth time and, again, we will have 85 businesses and organisations exhibiting and expect more than 350 delegates to visit.”

Many businesses are exhibiting for the second, third and even sixth time. One of the regular attenders is John Hynes from Copy Print Services who explained the Expos “have proved to be very good for securing new customers.”

The Kip McGrath Education Centre has exhibited twice now and, explained Sherrie Charlton, “we have got more than enough business from it – through parents, not business to business – to pay for the next two AND be a bag sponsor!”

Others who have attended previous Expos and are returning include USN Bolton Arena, Bolton Whites Hotel and Fieldings Porter, who have chosen to become an event sponsor this time.

Added Mrs Ramsden: “This exhibition is a place for businesses to build contacts, increase visibility and do business and visitors will meet suppliers, customers and contacts from all areas of local business.”

Caption – EXPO SPONSORS – From left, Andrew Taylor from RBS, Maura Jackson from Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme, Sherrie Charlton from the Kip McGrath Education Centre, Keith O’Hara from Carrs Pasties, Shane O’Neill from Global Policing, Shahzad Ibrahim from Print Hub Design, Peter Cunliffe from Fieldings Porter and David Ramsden from thebestofbolton