COMPANIES wanting to be part of the biggest business-to-business event in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been urged to be quick with their entries.

Exhibitor stands at the fourth annual Business Festival, which will be held on Thursday, May 26, are selling well and over a third of them have already been taken.

Organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link, the event takes place every year at the Three Counties Showground, near Malvern, and is free to visitors.

Business Festival director Patricia Head said stands had been selling even more quickly than in previous years because of a new format introduced this year.

For the first time, the exhibition area will be split into themed zones, each representing a core element of a successful business, and to accomodate the expected increase in exhibitors the exhibition area is larger than in previous years.

"We are very excited about this year's Business Festival as the zones will greatly enhance not just the exhibition environment but also the visitor experience," said Ms Head.

"Each zone will have its own distinct look and feel and will deal with a different aspect of running a successful business.

"Exhibitors will be with other, like-minded organisations and visitors will have a complete 'experience' in each zone, before moving onto the next one."

The zones include Location, Location, Location, which celebrates and promotes the benefits of working and living in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, while Money, Money, Money offers advice on accessing funds for diversifying, training, development and assets.

Visionarium is an opportunity to play with state-of-the-art business tools and innovative gadgets.

The Academy is the zone where the needs of staff are considered, including new skills, learning opportunities and personal development strategies.

The Greenhouse zone tracks the various stages of a business's life - including start-ups, new enterprise, established, high-growth and planning for succession and Eat! celebrates local produce and provides help and support for the local food and drink industry.

For more information about the event log on to www.businessfestival.

co.uk or, to book a stand, call Charlotte Cunningham or Samantha Dubique on 0800 104010.