MORE than 400 representatives from businesses in Basingstoke enjoyed a lively Gazette-backed networking event last week.

The fifth annual Basingstoke Business Expo offered firms the chance to take part in face-toface interaction with potential new contacts and clients.

Held at the Apollo Hotel, in Aldermaston Road, on April 21 the event had more than 50 exhibitors on hand to showcase what their businesses are all about.

The event was organised by local entrepreneur Matthew Larcome, working in conjunction with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and The Gazette.

Mr Larcome said: “This event gives people the opportunity to meet potential clients face-to-face.

“People like doing business with people they can trust, and if you can see a product and a person talking to you it is much easier to build that trust.

“The feedback from this year’s expo has been great and I spoke to a lot of people who said they got a lot more out of it than they expected.”

As well as networking opportunities, visitors to the expo had the opportunity to attend seminars by keynote speakers to learn different strategies.

The Basingstoke Business Expo 2017 is set to once again be hosted at the Apollo Hotel, on March 30