| WE'RE GOING PLACES! | |
Even before it officially opened last Wednesday, the Toyota Suite at Pride Park was alive with exhibitors and delegates making new contacts and finding out how to tap into the business and property expertise in the city. More than 550 people attended, a significant increase on last year. Graham Bartram, Derby branch manager of building restoration firm Peter Cox, said: "So much business is done via e-mail these days that this kind of event fulfils a real need to meet like-minded people in the flesh. If you look at how many networking groups have sprung up in Derby, it just shows that the best way to do business is still face to face." The bulk of the exhibitors had tried and tested the show in previous years. Jeff Todd, associate director at Pride Park construction engineering company, BSP Consulting, said: "We have been coming to the show for the past three years and it has always resulted in tangible leads and brand awareness." Legal firm The Smith Partnership has also attended. Peter Smith, senior partner, said: "It's great to meet other people in the property world and it's rare that you don't go home with new business." The number of exhibitors at this year's show was boosted by several first-timers. Alpha Construction, of Hilton, has operated nationally but is in the middle of an ambitious expansion plan, diversifying and looking for more business in the local area. Melanie Cartlidge, business development manager, said: "This is the first year we have started exhibiting at business shows and we have high hopes. We are looking to raise the profile of the business and believe that getting out and meeting people here is the way forward." Sponsors of the show, Derby Cityscape and Marketing Derby, used the event as a platform to launch Perspective, a regeneration magazine to promote the city to outside investors. Alex Smith, marketing co-ordinator at Marketing Derby, said: "It will be sent to 5,000 businesses around the country to demonstrate what Derby has to offer." To coincide with the show, Derby Cityscape produced its Vision document, an update of what's being done in the city. Sharon Stevens-Cash, of Derby Cityscape, said: "It's important we're all pulling in the same direction to promote Derby and show everyone what's already been achieved." The vast majority of exhibitors were involved in commercial property, whether as agents, architects, structural engineers or building contractors, a clear indication of where the smart money is going in the city. This was despite national concern about the immediate future of the construction industry. John Kirkland, chairman of Heage-based Bowmer and Kirkland, acknowledged the challenges facing the industry but remained positive. "We've been around for a long time, whereas a lot of people have never experienced tough times. The lifeblood of a successful business is good people, and as other companies make job cuts, there is an opportunity to recruit high-quality staff." Nic Rotton, of Nottinghamshire-based Sterling Capital Reserve, said: "People still want to lend money, it's just that they're being a bit more careful. They are still keen to look at projects and provide finance under the right circumstances." Tom Glick, president of Derby County Football Club, provided those attending the morning seminar with an insight into why General Sports and Entertainment spent £50m on Derby County. As well as the support the club enjoys, the first-class facilities and the challenge of bringing back the glory days, he cited the fact that Derby was a city that was "going places". Event sponsor Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby and Co, summed up the seeming discrepancy between the national economic climate and the enthusiasm and confidence in Derby. He said: "It seems that, in part, it is confidence and willpower that is insulating business in Derby." Only time will tell whether the city does have what it takes to maintain its development in these times of economic uncertainty. Likewise, it will be only over the coming months that news will filter through about how much of the buzz we heard at Pride Park will have been turned into business. Courtesy of the Derby Evening Telegraph |