MANY of the south’s leading firms will be attending a prestigious business event hosted by the Daily Echo.

Nearly 30 companies and organisations have signed up to exhibit at South Coast Business Works being held at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton.

The event on February 5 brings together local economic leaders and provides a platform for local businesses to promote themselves.

Those who will be represented include 7 Accounts, Alliot Wingham, Amity World Travel, Axis Fire & Security Services Ltd, Basepoint, Blue Lamp Trust, Companies House, Changewise, Eastleigh College, Flybe, Hampshire Fare, Highbury College, Intellectual Property Office, Investitec, Meon Marriott Hotel, Nigel Botterill’s Entrepreneurs Circle, Plug & Play, Portsmouth Business School, PHS Records Management, Radcliffe & Co, Totton College, Vermont Systems, White Communications, Wilkins Kennedy and Working Telecoms.

Guest speakers include Trethowans managing partner Simon Rhodes and Rich Watts, an account director at communications agency LeePeckGroup, who recently picked up a UK Business Speaker of the Year award.

Questions to a panel which will discuss the issues and challenges affecting local businesses can be submitted by those attending the event.

Business Works is being held in partnership with Business Solent and Destination Southampton and is sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors and is free.

To book exhibition space, register to attend or submit questions for the panel visit dailyecho.co.uk /businessworks, call the business team on 023 8042 4582 or email businessworks@dailyecho.co.uk.