A wide range of enterprises, from established multi-nationals to newly-launched start-ups, have claimed their spots at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, for what is the largest gathering of companies, business leaders and prospective clients and suppliers in Gloucestershire.

GBS16 will include space for 146 exhibitors to showcase their services, a wide range of keynote speakers, seminars, workshops, plus an awards evening and a gala dinner at Pittville Pump Room.

There will also be a Business Advice Centre, Innovation and Technology, Cyber, and Training and Development hubs offering advice and seminars as well as networking spaces, meeting areas and networking breakfasts.

Bookings for GBS16 have accelerated following a series of highly-successful road shows around the county providing in-depth information about the benefits of attending, as an exhibitor or for free as a delegate.

The roadshows, which are free to attend, feature a wide range of speakers, including from the host venue, plus refreshments and the opportunity to network with like-minded people.

Co-organiser Antonia Coles, from County Business Shows, said: “We have held four roadshows for GBS16 so far this year and they have proved a big success.

“The feedback we have received from people at the roadshows has been extremely positive and many of them have gone on to book exhibition stands at GBS16, or tell us they plan to attend as a delegate.

“The roadshows are designed to fill in the gaps for anyone with questions about what GBS16 can offer their business and exactly why it would be worthwhile going along in May.

“There are three more roadshows coming up, in Cheltenham, Coleford and Tewkesbury, and we’d recommend anyone wondering what all the excitement is about and why GBS16 is proving so popular, to come and say ‘hello’ .

“It’s so easy to book places at the roadshows via the online links we have provided and I’m confident that anyone who comes along who hasn’t been before, will find them extremely useful.

“The vast majority of the exhibition stands have now gone and it’s only a matter of time before the few remaining ones are claimed.”

Co-organiser Peter Allison, from County Business Shows, said: “This year we have a comprehensive advertising and PR campaign booked in order to ensure that we get the footfall and audience required to make GBS16 a success for exhibitors.”

The three roadshows before GBS16 are:

April 12, Vodafone, Cheltenham; tickets available from https://gbscheltenham.eventbrite.co.uk

April 13, Five Acres Campus, GlosColl, Coleford; tickets available from https://gbsforestofdean.eventbrite.co.uk

April 14, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury; tickets available from https://gbstewkesbury.eventbrite.co.uk

Members of the Vodafone Business team will give a talk at the event on April 12 along with a session about ‘The Future of Learning’ from GBS Training and Development Hub chairman Gerald Crittle, while on April 13 FoD GlosColl will be speaking about partnerships and the Five Acres campus.

For information about how to book an exhibition stand and prices, email exhibitors@business-shows.co.uk

For GBS16 information and for FREE delegate registration, visit www.gloucestershire-business-show.co.uk.