More than 800 people are making tracks to Swindon’s STEAM museum today to attend the fifth annual Swindon Business Show.
The show, staged by Business West, has become the town’s premier business and networking event – and this year will be no exception, with top-rate advice, support and guidance for businesses from Swindon, Wiltshire and across the West of England. 
Ian Larrard, director of Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, part of Business West, said: “Each year we continue to see more and more businesses on the quest for growth.
“The seminars on ‘how to attract talent’ and ‘how we decide – website psychology’ offer some great insight into better working practices for businesses of all sizes. Combine this with networking opportunities with more than 800 registered visitors and 80 exhibitors and you get a show that’s not to be missed.
“Our inspirational speaker Monty Halls from the BBC’s Great Escape series is a must for anyone who needs to retain their focus ‘when all about them are losing theirs’!
“We’re delighted that HSBC and Thrings Solicitors are on board as co-sponsors of the Click and Connect Lounge. This is a new area, in keeping with the enormous interest in all things digital. It will provide a place where visitors can talk to digital experts, relax, network, blog, tweet, hold informal meetings and even charge their devices, all over a refreshing complimentary drink.”
Thrings senior corporate partner John Davies will join intellectual property, IT law and data protection expert Graeme Fearon and Kate Westbrook, who specialises in cloud-based contracts, e-commerce and software service contracts.
Delegates visiting Thrings on stand 45 will be able to sign up for a free consultation with one of the firm’s partners in the drop-in Click and Connect Lounge to discuss the legal issues businesses should consider as part of building a robust digital strategy.
Thrings’ experts are expected to cover a range of digital issues, including navigating the legalities of advertising and selling products or services online, solutions that put businesses into thec, data protection, contracts with software service providers and compliance with e-commerce law.
The Click and Connect Lounge will also provide the venue for visitors to plug in and charge their electronic devices, hold informal meetings, network, blog and tweet while enjoying a complimentary drink. 
Graeme Fearon, pictured, said: “The digital legal landscape is constantly evolving and currently the big drivers are cybersecurity and data protection. With the increasing prevalence of mobile access and the emergence of the long-heralded ‘Internet of Things’, the inadequacies of current digital laws mean it is now more important than ever for organisations in Wiltshire to show best practice.
HSBC area director of corporate banking for Wiltshire James Shepherd said: “The digital sector has dramatically changed the way business operate and also undertake their banking providing new opportunities and challenges.
“The Swindon Business Show is a key event in the region for new and growing businesses and we are pleased to be a part of it alongside Thrings.”
Thrings partner Ramona Derbyshire added: “We are excited about co-sponsoring the Click and Connect Lounge. The digital sector is one where we have specialist expertise, advising and working with all sizes of digital organisations wishing to grow their business. We are looking forward to being a part of the Business Show which encapsulates the thriving commercial community in Swindon and Wiltshire.”
Swindon Business News will be reporting live from the show and will also feature a full round-up with photo galleries in next week’s e-bulletin.
Follow @swindonbiz, @swindonbizshow and #swindonbizshow for live updates during the day.
