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A broad mix of quality exhibitors drew 491 visitors to our 2009 Expo, and the many positive comments we received from visitors and exhibitors tells us this was our best Expo yet. The Sustainability theme drew exhibitors with sustainable products and systems, providing solutions for one of business' current big issues - unfortunately we couldn't provide an immediate solution on the day to the global financial crisis!
Once again our chosen venue the Stamford Grand North Ryde was a superb location for the expo, providing enough space for visitors to move around but keeping it a friendly size. Outside the main Expo were three eco-friendly cars on display from Hyundai, including a concept car which combines looks and performance with frugality.
This year we saw a higher level of government involvement in our Expo, with the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, the Department of State and Regional Development and the City of Ryde there to provide answers on the spot to visitors. We very much appreciate their involvement, as it gave business visitors a one-stop shop for valuable information.
Employers were well catered for with HR and employee advice and opportunties from Sydney Training and Employment, ABL Apprenticeship Centre, North West Business Education Network, Adecco Chatswood and Online OHS. In the current financial crisis taking on apprenticeships and trainees allows you to build your business and take on new staff with financial support from government agencies, and it's a real option for businesses wishing to grow. There is a full list of exhibitors with website links further down this page - we encourage you to visit these websites and find out more about the companies who supported our event.
For the first time at one of our Expos we held a Seminar Series with the following speakers;
- Stefan Sojka, Cyrius Media Group: Sustainable Communication – the Internet, Online and Website alternatives for SMEs
- Rob Nicholls, Innovation & Organisational Adaption - Carbon Training International: Prospering & Profiting in the Low Carbon Economy
- Andrew Lloyd, Department of Environment and Climate Change
- Michelle Thomas, Top Ryde City opening update
Ryde Business Forum held a business card draw on its stand, and Phil Dingle of Hyundai Motor Company - which has recently mo into Macquarie Park - was the lucky person whose card was drawn out of the box. Phil wins a bottle of Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon.
When the Expo closed at 5.30 visitors and exhibited headed for the Stamford's Terrace and our August Business After Hours event. Mayor of Ryde Cr Vic Tagg launched the Ryde 2030 Community Plan to around 100 people at our cocktail party.
Our exhibitors this year had some wonderful stands, many of them with eye-catching features and interactive activities. Who could forget Servcorp's chocolate fountain and bubbly after 5pm? Or the Epping Club's cupcakes, the Stamford's food display and X-Design's chocolate strawberries? These stands gave visitors an energy boost as they wandered the Expo. Most exhibitors offered giveaways and prize draws.
The high standard of display this year made judging Best Stand extremely difficult for the judging team of sponsors. Winner of the Best Stand was North Ryde RSL Community Club, whose Wheel of Fortune was a popular drawcard; their graphic display of their facilities was very professional as was their sample table setting. Best Rookie Stand, in a very tight competition, was awarded to TPR Group, with its stunning display of floral art available for corporate hire. A full list of all prizes given away by Expo management on the day is available here.
Click here to see our event gallery. Andrew Hill of AJH Sports brought his STARS team along to the event - click here to see his photo gallery. And... the Northern District Times covered our cocktail party - click here for pics.
Events like this one can't be a success without the assistance of major sponsors, and we thank the City of Ryde, Expo Edge, Stamford Grand North Ryde, Top Ryde City shopping centre and the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW for their support. Click on the logos above to visit their websites and find out more about their products and services. We also wish to thank our Alliance Partners in this event.
RBF also wishes to thank Morell Boyce, our volunteer Membership Consultant, who assisted Sabrina Ferguson at the RBF stand.
More stats, figures and information will be shown here once Expo Edge has provided it. If you have any questions please contact the Forum.
Exhibitors (A-Z):
Alliance Partners for this year's event
were:
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