Organisers say about 75 companies and organisations have already signed up as exhibitors for Business Yorkshire at Doncaster Racecourse.

The Yorkshire Post is official media sponsor for the two-day event, which will help thousands of entrepreneurial businessmen and women get advice, information and inspiration about how to develop their businesses.

Business Yorkshire will be free for delegates and promises famous keynote speakers, a diverse seminar programme and some 120 exhibitors offering an extensive range of products and services. It follows the successful Business North West event held for two years in Manchester. Managing director of Business Yorkshire Scott Hider said: "Yorkshire is a business hot spot and an ideal location for us to expand our portfolio of business events.

"Business Yorkshire provides the ideal platform for networking with like-minded decision makers and hearing inspirational success stories from leading business figures.

"Growing businesses will also have the opportunity to pitch for funding to a panel of venture capitalists.

"With a cross section of businesses exhibiting and attending the show, the event provides an excellent opportunity for meeting prospects and suppliers face to face, as well as gaining valuable information for the growth and success of a business."

He said exhibitors would be able to put themselves in front of the "notoriously hard-to-reach market" of about 3,000 SME owners and directors. Mr Hider added: "We are limiting the number of exhibitors per sector. That will give delegates a more diverse and richer experience."

Delegates will be able learn about new legislation and how to stay ahead of the competition in challenging marketplaces.

They will also be able to find out about new products and services from business-to-business companies including HR, sales, marketing, finance and IT.

Previous speakers at Business North West include Jacqueline Gold, the chief executive of Ann Summers, Simon Woodroffe, the founder of Yo! Sushi, Doug Richard, founder of Library House, and Sir Bob Geldof, the multi-millionaire anti-poverty campaigner.

Confirmed sponsors are Business Link, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, Train to Gain, The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Directors. The Chartered Institute of Marketing said: "Having attended the North West show in 2007, there is no way we would miss out on Yorkshire and are happy to support Business Yorkshire in its inaugural year."

The Doncaster Chamber of Commerce said: "As one of the fastest growing chambers in the UK we are delighted to be working in partnership with Business Yorkshire 2008."

The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and the organisers of Business Yorkshire will be running a co-ordinated events programme in conjunction with the Sheffield Business Week campaign from September 29 to October 3.

Business Yorkshire, which is owned by Bristol-based Nationwide Media Group, takes place on October 1-2 at the newly revamped Doncaster Racecourse.

For details on exhibiting, phone 0117 907 1000 or read www.business-
yorkshire.co.uk