Hundreds of visitors got down to business at a trade expo in Newport, the first of its kind to take place in the city.

[aoa id=”1″]The Business Growth Expo drew the crowds, as well as a very well-known face from the world of athletics, with 400m hero Derek Redmond giving a humorous and motivational seminar titled ‘Sport is a business and business is a sport’.[/aoa]

The business show, organised in partnership with Spotlight Newport, attracted business owners and visitors from Newport, Cardiff and the south west of England. The event at the Coldra Court Hotel included a networking breakfast and a number of ‘insight’ seminars throughout the day on topics such as ‘The benefits of using Welsh in your business’.

Organiser Kate Lloyd said:

“We’re really pleased with the success of the inaugural Business Growth Expo in Newport. The feedback we have had from businesses and visitors has been amazing, and we really enjoyed the day.”

Derek Redmond, who held the British record for the 400m sprint and won gold medals in the 4×400 metres relay at the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, provided a lively and inspirational opening seminar, focusing on Great Britain’s historic 1991 World Championship win in Tokyo.

Together with Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and John Regis, Redmond defied the odds to narrowly beat favourites the USA – who had held the title for 57 years – by changing the formation at the last minute. Now one of the UK’s most popular and sought-after speakers, Redmond spoke about the comparisons between athletics and business, with communication and innovation being the key to both.

More than 50 businesses, including Excellence IT, Robertsons Solicitors, IMSM, Thomas International, South Wales Chamber of Commerce and Be Sure Insurance exhibited. To discuss further events, email Spotlight Newport at [email protected].