When people think about Business Fest South West, they often picture the main event itself, a vibrant exhibition hall filled with businesses, conversations, opportunities and energy. They think about the exhibitors showcasing their products and services, the attendees discovering new suppliers, and the connections being made throughout the day.
But what many people don’t realise is that some of the most valuable networking happens long before the exhibition doors open.
In fact, for many exhibitors, the journey starts months earlier.
At Business Fest South West, we’ve always believed that great business relationships aren’t built in a single day. They’re built through conversations, shared experiences, introductions, trust and genuine human connection. That’s why we’ve worked hard to create something that goes beyond the traditional business exhibition.
Rather than waiting until the event day to bring people together, we’ve decided to create exclusive exhibitor-only networking events that help our exhibitors connect, collaborate and build relationships before the main event even begins.
A decision that has had an impact on the way businesses network across the South West.
More Than Just an Exhibition
Let’s be honest, there are plenty of business exhibitions out there.
Many follow the same formula. Businesses arrive early, set up their stands, spend the day meeting as many people as possible and then pack everything away before heading home.
Whilst there’s certainly value in that, we wanted Business Fest South West to offer something more.
From day one, our vision has been to create a genuine South West business community. A place where businesses don’t just exchange business cards but build meaningful relationships. A place where conversations lead to collaborations, partnerships and opportunities that continue long after the event finishes.
Business Fest South West isn’t simply about what happens on exhibition day. It’s about creating opportunities throughout the year for businesses to connect, support one another and become part of something bigger.
Networking Before the Big Day
One of the things that makes Business Fest South West unique is our commitment to helping exhibitors build relationships before they arrive at the event.
Our pre-show exhibitor-only networking events have become a key part of the Business Fest experience and are something many exhibitors look forward to throughout the year.
Since 2025, we’ve hosted networking events at a range of fantastic venues across the South West, including:
- Exeter Science Park
- The Mole Resort
- Dartington Hall
- Froginwell Vineyard
- Newton Abbot Rugby Club
- Bovey Castle
- Biz Nest networking event hosted by Hatched Agency at Sheppys Cider Farm
Every venue has offered something different, but the goal has always remained the same: bringing people together.
These events create a relaxed and welcoming environment where exhibitors can get to know one another away from the busy exhibition floor.
There are no stands to manage, no pressure to rush from conversation to conversation and no distractions.
Just businesses meeting businesses.
The result is a much more natural networking experience that allows people to build genuine connections.
Why Exhibitors Love Our Networking Events
One of the most common pieces of feedback we hear from exhibitors is how much they value the opportunity to network before the event itself.
Walking into a large exhibition can sometimes feel daunting, particularly for first-time exhibitors.
There can be hundreds of businesses in attendance and countless people to meet.
Our networking events help remove that uncertainty.
By the time Business Fest South West arrives, many exhibitors have already met several times. They’ve had conversations, learned about each other’s businesses and started building relationships.
Instead of arriving as strangers, they arrive as part of a community.
Rather than spending the day introducing themselves from scratch, exhibitors can continue conversations they’ve already started and focus on developing relationships further.
Building Relationships That Last
One of the most rewarding things about the networking programme is seeing relationships develop over time.
Many of the conversations that begin at a networking event continue long after Business Fest South West has ended.
Businesses discover shared values.
They identify opportunities to work together.
They refer clients to one another.
They share knowledge, experiences and advice.
Some become suppliers to each other.
Others become collaborative partners.
These are the kinds of relationships that can’t be created through a quick LinkedIn connection or a single email.
They develop through repeated conversations and genuine interaction.
Creating Opportunities for Collaboration
One of the biggest benefits of bringing exhibitors together before the event is the opportunity for collaboration.
The South West is home to an incredible range of businesses, from ambitious start-ups and growing SMEs to established organisations and industry leaders.
When these businesses come together, exciting things happen.
Time and time again, we’ve seen exhibitors discover opportunities they didn’t even know existed.
A marketing agency meets a software company.
A manufacturer connects with a local supplier.
A business owner finds a strategic partner.
A conversation over coffee turns into a project, a referral or a long-term business relationship.
These opportunities often start with a simple introduction.
By creating more opportunities for exhibitors to meet before the main event, Business Fest South West helps facilitate those conversations and encourages collaboration across the region.
Strengthening the South West Business Community
Business Fest South West is proud to celebrate the incredible businesses that make the South West such a vibrant place to live and work.
From Devon and Cornwall to Somerset, Dorset and beyond, our region is full of talented entrepreneurs, innovative companies and passionate business leaders.
However, many businesses still operate within relatively small local networks.
One of the things we’re most proud of is helping to connect those networks together.
Our networking events bring businesses from different sectors, industries and locations into the same room.
They create opportunities for people who may never have met otherwise.
They encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and mutual support.
Most importantly, they help strengthen the wider South West business community.
At a time when many businesses face similar challenges, having access to a strong network of like-minded professionals can be invaluable.
The Difference You’ll Feel on Event Day
The impact of the networking programme becomes obvious the moment you walk into Business Fest South West.
There’s a different energy.
People are greeting familiar faces.
Conversations are already flowing.
Exhibitors are catching up with contacts they’ve met throughout the year.
Business owners are introducing people they’ve connected with at previous networking events.
The atmosphere feels warm, welcoming and collaborative.
Instead of spending the day breaking the ice, people are building on foundations that have been established months earlier.
It creates a more enjoyable experience for exhibitors and attendees alike, whilst also leading to more meaningful conversations and stronger business opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As Business Fest South West continues to grow, our commitment to networking remains stronger than ever.
The success of our pre-show exhibitor-only networking events has shown just how valuable face-to-face connections still are.
People want more than just another exhibition.
They want to be part of a community.
They want opportunities to learn, collaborate and build lasting relationships.
They want to do business with people they know and trust.
That’s exactly what Business Fest South West is all about.
By creating opportunities for exhibitors to connect before the event, we’re helping businesses make the most of their exhibition experience whilst building a stronger, more connected South West business community.
GET INVOLVED!
Whether you’re exhibiting for the first time or returning as a familiar face, Business Fest South West offers far more than a single day of networking.
It’s an opportunity to become part of a growing community of businesses that are passionate about collaboration, connection and supporting one another’s success.
From our first networking event at Exeter Science Park to gatherings at venues across the South West, the goal has always been simple: bring great people together and create opportunities that matter.
Because the best business relationships don’t start with a sales pitch.
They start with a conversation.
GET INVOLVED!
BELIEVE THE HYPE! 😍
