The first Five Counties Exhibition aimed at promoting Gwent business products and services and the importance of the region as THE place for investment takes place this week

MARKETING is a peculiar discipline, often full of impenetrable jargon and needlessly complex 'strategising'.

But the more you simplify the art and science of marketing to its basic truths, the more one medium emerges as a uniquely powerful force: exhibitions.

An exhibition is the only medium that brings qualified buyers straight to your company for face-to-face interactions.

It's also the only medium to harness all five senses, letting you demonstrate products, answer questions, overcome objections and - most importantly - build relationships with your customers and prospects.

Ngb2b (the Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has combined with other business support organisations across the five counties of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen to host the first Five Counties Exhibition.

The event will take place on Thursday at The Gateway Building, Tredegar Business Park, between 10am and 4pm, and will give businesses of all sizes the opportunity to promote their products and services at a minimal cost.

The event's aims and objectives are to:

ALLOW businesses to network and promote their products and services.

PROMOTE Gwent as a focal point for business activity.

RAISE awareness of the opportunities available to businesses across Gwent, and ENCOURAGE businesses to locate to and invest in the area.

Kerys Sheppard, ngb2b's business development executive, said: "We have been contemplating an event like this for some time.

"Many of our members have told us they would like to have the opportunity to exhibit at a high-profile event but don't have the funds available to do so.

"This is why we have forged strong relationships with our working partners and have heavily discounted stand costs for the exhibition.

"Chamber members and SMEs were given preferential rates, allowing sole traders and smaller businesses to have a presence on the day which is the main aim of this event." The event will accommodate a total of 51 exhibitors, and 95% of this space has been allocated.

The exhibition aims to attract a minimum of 1,500 visitors to the area from Wales and beyond and the event will be launched with a breakfast attended by the exhibitors and some of the region's key business people.

Entry to the Five Counties Exhibition 2002 is free of charge and complimentary refreshments will be provided for visitors throughout the day.