South West Expo to celebrate fourth birthday at Steam museum in Swindon - 30 June

The South West's largest business show is to host its fourth annual event at Swindon's Steam Museum on 30 June featuring the regions key business leaders.

Joining forces with Business West for their fourth year, the South West Expo features a chance to meet business leaders from many fields under one roof.

Cabinet minister for disability and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson will be attending this year’s expo along with Afghanistan war veteran and double amputee Sgt Rick Clement who has been sponsored by Swindon Borough Council and Higher Futures, promoting the Expo's strong focus on supporting / promoting disability awareness in the work place.

On the 27 May 2010 whilst serving as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Sgt Rick Clement stepped on a pressure plate I.E.D. Thanks to the excellent training and quick thinking of his unit, Sgt Clement was given emergency first aid and evacuated back to camp Bastion before being flown back to the UK. He subsequently lost both legs with severely high amputations.

After extensive rehabilitation and support from family and friends, Sgt Clement is now actively fundraising for injured servicemen and aims to provide national support, advice and assistance to all current serving members of the Armed forces, ex servicemen and women, those injured, their families and in particular those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through the 'A Soldiers Journey' charity. 

For the past two years the expo has included the South West’s biggest networking breakfast before the opening of the event, which saw over 300 local business leaders and owners attend last year and is a great way to start the day off. Swindon and Wiltshire LEP are sponsoring this year’s pre-expo breakfast in partnership with Thames Valley Chamber, with 150 business leaders already confirmed to attend.

With over 120 exhibitors at this year's event, there is the opportunity to ask the big questions directly to the business leaders and owners of the region, including at a business 1 - 2 - 1 matters village with a free 30-minute appointment with experts from across the region in specific topics that may be affecting their business.

The Success Secrets panel makes a return for this year, with eminent business leaders / entrepreneurs sharing the secrets to the phenomenal success they have achieved along with the mistakes that they have made along the way. This is a fantastic Q&A opportunity for regional business leaders to ask questions and gain the advice and information needed for a business to succeed today. The panel is made up of various experts from different sectors across the UK, so you can be confident that you will receive the best advice with the very latest information critical to the success of your business.

Register by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-south-west-expo-2016-tickets-20777857130 or call 01793 862 510 or email [email protected] 

The South West Expo begins at 9am on 30 June at Swindon's Steam Museum.