THE heady buzz of conversations between companies were key at this year’s Wycombe Business Expo, according to the man who had the brainwave of first setting up the event.

Now in its fifth year, yesterday's Expo was held for the second time at Wycombe Wanderers’ home, Adams Park, and there was a steady buzz of networking as visitors and exhibitors chatted, swapped business cards and strived to bring the town’s business community closer together.

Elton Boocock, chairman of the Expo, first had the idea of running the event when he realised there was nothing like it in Wycombe – and since those early days he says it has changed considerably in its tone.

Mr Boocock said: “We’ve had a steady stream of people through the doors, all having conversations which is what we’ve marketed the event as being about, which is good. It’s got a good feel to it this year.

“It’s massively different to when we first started the Expo. The reasoning was completely different when we started it – back then people were desperate. It’s a lot easier out there now.

“There’s a different mentality out there. Now we’re doing it because we want to celebrate businesses – not because we need the business. The desperation is not there anymore.”

He said that the event had attracted businesses for different reasons – some wanted to drum up more custom, others wanted to get word out about the services they offer – such as Wycombe Library with its business director - while others simply wanted to give their profile a boost.

Elton said: “There are so many different reasons why businesses are here. It’s interesting over the last five years how it’s evolved from that perspective.

“There are seven or eight exhibitors who have been here for each of the shows. And why do they keep coming back? It’s because they get something out of it every year.”

The day kicked off with a networking business breakfast for the early birds, featuring guest speakers Andrew James; weatherman, founder and owner of Manor Estates Ground Care; Tim Ashburner, founder of Marlow FM; and Gan Wyatt, founder of The Green Board Game Co.

Bekki James, partnership manager of The 4C Group, which matches businesses with good causes to help them meet their corporate social responsibilities,said: The breakfast event was really good; the speakers were fabulous, really interesting – they were a bit different to the usual thing you get at these events. We have really enjoyed it.”

Wycombe District Council, a key sponsor of the event, was promoting its business focused website – www.wycombeforbusiness.co.uk – which is a dedicated website for the district’s corporate world, offering support and information. It also pushed the recently launched Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2015, for which WDC is sponsoring the High Wycombe District Company of the Year.

Other sponsors included Wycombe Wanderers FC, Lloyds Bank and Sivatech.

A number of other businesses and organisations were busy making their presence felt at the event. The Handy Croissant networking group, which meets at 7.30am every Friday at the Holiday Inn at Handy Cross, was seeking more members to add to its ranks.

Chairman Jerry Hughes said: “This is a good PR exercise for us – it’s a good way to get your name around.

“This year has probably been bigger than last year.”

Mr Boocock’s own business, Urban Media, was attracting attention with staff dressed as doctors and nurses, administering ‘prescriptions’ of website and social media recommendations to passers-by.

A range of other exhibitors were also on hand, including Amersham & Wycombe College, Basepoint Business Centres, Dashwoods Chartered Accountants, Missenden Abbey, Thames Graphics, Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire New University and many others.

Chosen charity for the event was the Wycombe branch of the MS Society. Chairman Mike Detsiny said: “We’re hoping to meet two or three small to medium sized companies who would like to help our work. We’re not looking for money – we’re looking for volunteers. We don’t need money – we need help.”

He hoped people would help the charity stage events, collections and even drive people in need to therapy sessions.

He added: “MS is a frightful affliction for which at the moment there’s no cure. Millions are spent on research – we’re finding ways to alleviate suffering but there’s still no cure. Two thirds of the money we collect goes toward research.”

The MS Society was founded 54 years ago, and the Wycombe branch has been operating for 52 of them – making it one of the oldest of the charity’s branches in the country.