ENTERPRISE and economic success were celebrated at the annual Swindon Business Show yesterday.

The event, backed by the Adver, saw around 80 exhibitors showcase their products or services.

The all-day show, which took place at the Steam museum, was an opportunity for companies to network and develop contacts, with the main aim being to help create more jobs in Swindon and across the South West.

Organisers Business West welcomed about 1,000 visitors to the ceremony – now in its fifth year — which featured a talk by TV presenter and leadership expert Monty Halls, a former Royal Marines officer.

Mary Martin, Business West’s head of marketing, said: “It has been absolutely brilliant.

"We had 770 people pre-register to attend and we’ve had lots turn up on the day, so we would estimate that we’ve welcomed in the region of 1,000 people through the doors during the course of the day.

“We are really pleased that there seems to have been a lot of business done here between our exhibitors.

“We felt that last year was our best show to date, and I think it would be fair to say that this year we have at the very least matched it.”

Companies of all kinds and sizes held displays.

One of those that exhibited was healthcare social enterprise Seqol which supports people across the South West with the aim of helping them to make the most of their lives.

Julie Watts, community nurse, said: “We have had a really positive response from the people of Swindon.

"This has been a great opportunity to make them aware of us and the work that we do in the community.”

Seqol carried out health checks, BMI and blood glucose tests.

Swindon College also had a display at the show.

Caroline Maycock, a manager at the college said: “It has been a pleasure to be here.

"Today is a great opportunity for us to meet businesses which might potentially work with us to provide apprenticeships for our students.”

Samantha Whittingham, who runs Little Miss CakeMaker, was using the show as an opportunity to build contacts with bigger companies who might hire her for corporate events.

Samantha said: “I’ve been displaying examples of the cupcakes I make with company branding on them, with a view to working with some of the businesses here today.

“I’m an online company and I think the Swindon Business Show is a good opportunity to network face to face.”

Flicky Harrison, who runs Flick’s Video Productions as well as working for the Adver editorial team, displayed at the exhibition for the first time.

She said: “I’m really impressed by how everything has gone and this is quite a good chance to meet people and raise my profile.”

During the show, workshops focusing on staff recruitment and improving websites also took place.