EXCITEMENT is building in anticipation of the 2017 Gloucestershire Business Show (GBS17), which launched officially on Tuesday, February 21.

Plans for the much-anticipated show were unveiled to sponsors, exhibitors and GBS17 during two celebratory events at The Wilson art gallery and museum in Cheltenham.

GBS17 is set to take place at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on May 17 and 18.

It is intended to showcase businesses of all size and industry in Gloucestershire, and will provide a platform through which businesses can form new collaborations, gain information and speak to professional advisors.

An evening event on Tuesday was attended by a number of figures from the business community who heard from a variety of enthusiastic speakers involved in GBS17.

Antonia Coles, from the GBS17 team, told the 90-strong audience: “There are some fantastic businesses across all sorts of industries and business sectors in Gloucestershire.

“Fantastic skills, opportunities, innovation – you name it, we’ve got it. We should be very proud of it.”

Gerald Crittle, a long-standing supporter of the show, from G Acceleration spoke about how he hopes the show will address the problems that face the business world.

He said: “We keep hearing in the media about the skills shortage, the skills gap and productivity issues.

“It’s no good just talking about the problems – what are we going to do about them?

“What better place to bring education and business together to share ideas than the Gloucestershire Business Show.”

Other speakers described the benefits of booking an exhibitor stand at GBS17, explaining how they made new contacts and business leads.

The remaining exhibitor stands are available in a number of shapes and sizes, located on both levels of The Centaur and fully integrated with the interactive spaces.

For more information about booking an exhibitor stand at GBS17, visit www.gloucestershire-business-show.co.uk or telephone 01242 807689.