'The Black Country is very much open for business' - that was the message from the Black Country Chamber Expo at Wolverhampton Racecourse which attracted hundreds of visitors

More than 700 people signed up to attend the Black Country Chamber Expo at Wolverhampton Racecourse and Greyhound Stadium - as part of the West Midlands Business Festival.

The Dunstall Park venue was packed with more than 50 exhibitors from established companies to small start ups doing incredible things.

The free-to-attend event, held from 10am to 2pm on Thursday February 5, offered a bustling programme of talks, workshops and networking opportunities for businesses of all sizes and sectors.

Almost everyone we spoke to was full of praise for the event itself, organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and upbeat about the opportunities in Wolverhampton and the Black Country for businesses to connect, grow and flourish.

Sarah Moorhouse, chief executive of the Chamber, was delighted with the turnout for the event - despite the gloomy wet weather outside which failed to dampen spirits inside.

She said the event was a great way for the region’s business community to explore new opportunities, meet industry leaders and discover how local businesses are driving growth.

She added: "The Black Country is very much open for business, now everyone knows that we are but these events just help to amplify that message. We've got some brilliant talent, some fantastic business and it would be lovely if we can keep the Black Country pound in the Black Country.

"We just want businesses to flourish, we know it's difficult at the moment with everything that's been thrown at them. if the Black Country Chamber can make it that little bit easier by giving them a step up, an opportunity to talk about their brand, get them in front of a partner - that's what we want to do."

Wolverhampton Wanderers legend and former England football player Steve Bull, a business ambassador for Wolverhampton tech company Your Digital Hub, which is helping firms to save money through smart technical solutions, brought some star power to the event which he described as "absolutely brilliant". 

Keen to show his support for Your Digital Hub and for Wolverhampton's business community - he urged people to come along and see what the city has to offer. 

He said: "Wolverhampton’s absolutely superb. For people who ain't been here before you need to come down and visit - it’s the got Wolverhampton Racecourse, it’s got the art gallery, you've got loads going on, you've got the Grand Theatre and you've got loads of big businesses."

Tim Hubbard, founder of Your Digital Hub, added: "Wolverhampton has been put in the doldrums of late, it's not fair really because it's a city where we've got a few science parks, we've got a great Chamber, we've some great start up businesses, we've also got JLR. Business needs to come back and it needs more confidence in the city. 

"What were trying to do is help businesses save money so they can reinvest in their own growth and really put Wolverhampton as a city back on the map."

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, was also keen to showcase Wolverhampton's strengths and he said during his visit to the event: "It's wonderful to be here at the Black Country Chamber event to see how many exhibitors there are and how popular it is. The car park was absolutely rammed. It's a really positive thing for Wolverhampton. It shows the economy is building and businesses are positive about the future."

He was also chuffed to meet Mario the retired greyhound, who is awaiting his forever home, ahead of a forthcoming combined horse racing and greyhound racing event that will take place at Wolverhampton Racecourse and Greyhound Stadium on March 7.

Matt Weston, of Vantage 365 based at The Waterfront in Brierley Hill, was pleased to have the chance to showcase his growing business which offers Microsoft training, consultancy and support.

He told the Express & Star it's vital to get out and meet other businesses - adding: "Unless we're out meeting people - people don't know that we exist. We're very passionate about being a Black Country business and helping others in the area. 

"What better place to meet them than an event like the Black Country Chamber expo.

"There are so many great businesses that are coming out of the Black Country, so much innovation, that anyone who is looking to build or expand or innovate should be looking right here."

Tom Williams, MD of award-winning Walsall-based vending business Coinadrink, was among the exhibitors at the event - showcasing the company's cutting edge vending offerings.

He said: "It's always a good business event. It's important to support the local business community. We've had some really good enquiries and it's been really busy. There hasn't been an expo for a few years so it's nice to get everyone back together in one room."

Charlotte Davies, a Wolverhampton based copywriter, speaker and business supporter, also welcomed the return of the event which has been absent for a few years since the Covid pandemic.

She said: "I think it's been really beneficial. I don't think you can replace that in-person connection. It builds that relationship to be able to get lots of Black Country businesses all in one room having a chat and seeing what they're doing. It's only a positive."

Jeni Selleck, centre manager at Willenhall based office space provider West Midlands House, echoed the sentiments - adding: "It's been great to showcase what we offer to 700 people in one morning. Having face to face conversations is so much better than doing it online."

Chris Dowen, of Wombourne based MoRServ, which provides specialist consultancy, intelligence, and risk management services, said it was the best Chamber Expo he'd attended to date, adding: "There's a different energy about, it's brilliant. It's an amazing way to network with people."

Gail Arnold, head of premium memberships at the Chamber, concluded: "It's been absolutely fantastic. It's the second biggest event in our calendar. We've had really good feedback from stand-holders and delegates. It's a rainy day but that hasn't put anybody off."