For the seventh consecutive year, one-day business showcase Granite Expo provided a platform for companies based in and with links to Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond to exhibit, network, knowledge share and cross sell.
New for this year’s free-to-attend event at Aberdeen’s DoubleTree by Hilton Aberdeen Treetops were an Angus/Dundee Showcase and a Norway Showcase.
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Granite Expo was the brainchild of Aberdeen entrepreneur Brett Jackson who is the Founder and Managing Director of Granite PR. The event was again managed by Business Plus Scotland and this year’s main sponsor was Barclays.
This year, Granite Expo attracted some 1,000 participants and commenting on the success of the 2017 showcase, Brett Jackson said: “Once again, we have been overwhelmed by the appetite which exists for this event. Since it was established in 2011, it has become a significant date on the business calendar and we are pleased to attract a broad range of new and repeat exhibitors from a myriad of sectors.
“As many businesses continue to face tough trading conditions, opportunities to create or strengthen links are crucial and it is always great to see so many exhibitors, visitors and supporters embracing the possibilities which events such as Granite Expo present.”
He added: “We are already looking ahead with optimism to the next Granite Expo which will take place on Thursday, October 11th 2018.”
Stuart Brown, Head of SME Scotland, Barclays commented: “It was great to see such a fantastic turnout at Granite Expo with many diverse and growing SMEs in attendance. Exhibiting and networking opportunities at events like this provide an excellent platform for creating visibility, with exhibitors getting the chance to showcase their offering to the business community.
“The theme of many of our discussions was centred on business optimism and desired growth, which is encouraging, and I’m in no doubt that many will have left with a number of new business leads.”
The competition for the best stand was judged by Press & Journal Business Editor Rebecca Buchan with local businessmen Charles Skene CBE and Andy Willox OBE. The winner was Charlie House with special mentions going to Bannerman Butcher and Fennel Media.
Susan Crighton of Charlie House said: “This was Charlie House’s first time at Granite Expo and it was a great opportunity to raise the profile of a local charity. We were delighted at the footfall at our stand and the buzz in the room. The event provided a great opportunity to network with fellow exhibitors and delegates alike.”
The networking award was presented by Stuart Brown to Craig Donoghue and Samantha Edmond of One Stop Waste Solutions, whilst the star prize of two flights anywhere on the Virgin Atlantic Airways network was won by Emma Anderson of Converged Communication Solutions.
