HUNDREDS of business people flocked to Gillingham for a chance to boost their bottom line.

The Medway Winning Business Exhibition, held in the Black Lion Leisure Centre and sponsored jointly by Medway Council and Business Link Kent (BLK), attracted more than 80 exhibitors and a host of big-name businesses looking for deals with small local suppliers.

The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Nick Bowler, and BLK chairman Robert Clewley opened the show.

It featured sales and marketing seminars, the latest training videos and face-to-face interviews with possible buyers.

Bill Fowler, event director for Chatham Historic Dockyard, said the response had been "not too bad at all."

There had been a lot of interest from visitors wanting to book the venue for business events. Many did not know that the dockyard could host conferences for around 200, as well as smaller events.

From next April, HMS Gannet would be able to host receptions on board for up to 50 people, he said.

Simon Carroll, a first-time exhibitor, expected to recoup the £1,000 outlay for his Keep it Simple Software (UK) firm, based in Faversham, if all his leads bore fruit. "It's been very well organised," he said..

Richard Lawrence, the council's acting economic development and business support manager, said it was important to support the event to encourage business in the Towns.

"It's very important for both Business Link Kent and Medway council to put on an event like this to showcase what is available not only in the Medway area but also in the wider scheme of things, North Kent and Kent as a whole," he said.

While it was costly to stage such an event, it helped firms make valuable contact with others and win more business.

It was part of the council's strategy of encouraging business, which also included the Partners in Growth scheme with BLK. That was already helping many local firms to expand and develop their ideas.

"It's very much envied by a number of other authorities up and down the country," Mr Lawrence said.

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