LOCAL businesses and organisations gathered at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo 2019.

Over 870 visitors attend on the day, making it the largest Business Expo that the Chamber of Commerce has hosted.

In addition to the main exhibition floor, there was also Food and Drink Producers’ Zone, sponsored by mfg Solicitors, offering locally-made and sourced produce.

Over 250 guests arrived early for the morning’s Networking Breakfast before hearing from Sharon Smith, CEO at the Chamber, Ben Mannion, Director at Hewett Recruitment and Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, CEO of NMiTE.

The breakfast signalled the start of the exhibition, and business people from across the two counties began networking with local companies from across the two counties.

Delegates also took advantage of the free “Beyond Brexit – A World of New Opportunities” seminar, which provided attendees with insight into the challenges and opportunities that Brexit may bring.

The one-hour session discussed new market potential for the Uk's international trade, as well as preparing businesses for what Brexit means to employers and EU Nationals living and working in the UK.

In the first half of the seminar, John Walden, from Strong and Herd LLP talked guests through opportunities for the UK to trade with emerging economies such as Nigeria, India and Mexico.

Mr Walden said: "Whatever your thoughts on Brexit, it is great to see so many people talking about international trade.

"Whether we leave with a deal or with no deal, it is vital for businesses to have an action plan for what they will do if trading arrangements change.

"While there are free trade arrangements being made, there is a lack of negotiating expertise in the country because for the last few decades we haven't needed it."