Showcase for the region's spirit of enterprise

Now in its sixth year, the event is a one-day business-to-business networking opportunity with 172 display stands for

business owners and managers looking for new ideas, new customers and new suppliers.

This year the event – at Pavilions of Harrogate, on the Great Yorkshire Showground – was packed with visitors looking

to take advantage of the chance to network with hundreds of other business owners and managers.

Chief executive of Harrogate Chamber Brian Dunsby said: "It's been extremely successful. We've had no complaints and everyone is content. Lots of business has been done."

Last year there were about 2,000 business visitors but this year even more people were expected from across the region.

The event, which was organised by Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce and supported by the Yorkshire Post, was sponsored by Business Link Yorkshire, Harrogate College and Yorkshire Forward.

Many of the firms showcasing their work were the small and medium-sized businesses that are the lifeblood of the economy and the breeding ground for this entrepreneurial spirit.

One of the companies was Harrogate Printing. Account director Paul Waddington said: "There was a more constant stream of people here this year.

"We are trying to keep ourselves in people's mindset.

"They don't always need you straight away but we hope we will see the benefit from being here."

Richard Bradley, director of Halifax-based Accept Cards, which helps businesses to reduce costs for processing credit and debit cards, added: "The event seems a lot more productive than previous years. We've seen some really good potential clients.

"The quality of information people want seems higher than when we were here a couple of years ago.

"Because we are in a unique market we are trying to get

the message to people that they have a choice and don't just have to go with the banks."

Carpet cleaning firm Chem-Dry, which covers Harrogate, York and Leeds, made its debut as an exhibitor at this year's event.

Simon Lipman, business development manager, said: "A look at the exhibitor list alone is enough to get you excited. There were highly prestigious companies there. We considered the visitors as a bonus because our fellow exhibitors were all prospective customers to us.

"We are trying to develop our commercial side of the business and we have had very good feedback from people. I'm encouraged by what I have seen at the show and the general atmosphere."

The free "Ask the Expert" clinics returned for a second

year, giving business owners the chance to learn from some of the best and advice for people on how to start up their own business.

Robert Whiteley, president of Harrogate Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's been a fantastic day to do business and everyone turned out in force.

"I'm very pleased with how the day has gone and I would say it's been a huge success."

Open for business

The Yorkshire Business Market was opened by Phil Willis, retiring MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Councillor Pat Jones, the Mayor of Harrogate.

It is the sixth time that Mr Willis has welcomed exhibitors and visitors to the event.

In 2009 there was a 25 per cent increase in display space to squeeze in 203 exhibitors. Although there were only 173 this year, Brian Dunsby, chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said the decrease was due to businesses taking bigger display stands.

More than 2,000 business visitors were expected this year – the highest number since the event was launched six years ago. Mr Dunsby said: "It's been better than last year and we've had a very good atmosphere."