IT’S the event that brings businesses from across the south together.

Today Southampton will host the fifth South Coast Business Works event.

The Daily Echo-backed event at the Novotel in WestQuay Road will feature a panel of top speakers, a host of exhibitors and seminars.

Hundreds of guests are set to flock to the four-star hotel in West Quay Road, where the event will start at 9am with a welcome address from Simon Rhodes from Trethowans Solicitors.

The event will provide a vital opportunity for firms from across the city and Hampshire to come together under one roof and meet business leaders and decision makers.

As well as the chance to meet and share ideas and knowledge it will also allow the representatives of various businesses to forge lasting new relationships.

The event, held in association with Trethowans and partnered by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Destination Southampton, will feature a series of talks throughout the day.

They will include a talk at 9.15am by Stephen Gates, managing director of Denplan, whose keynote speech is entitled Leadership and Teams: The learnings of an imperfect leader.

He will be followed by a 30-minute coaching workshop from Shelley Edwards, director of Southampton-based Progress to Success, and a talk from Denise Barlow, head of projects and communications at the Chamber of Commerce and Solent Growth Hub.

Lee Peck Media director Lee Peck will then chair a Question Time-style business panel, where guests can ask key questions relevant to their business.

Featuring in this year’s panel will be Simon Armstrong, retail projects manager at Grosvenor Developments, the firm behind Southampton’s new Arts Complex, and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Dunn, Mr Rhodes and Mr Gates.

The panel at noon will then be followed by a speed networking session using an innovative three-way format allowing delegates to share information on what they are looking for and can provide.

To attend the event register for free online at eventbrite.co.uk

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