Coordinator of the Business Expo, Joanne Diaz-Berry, said that many new companies use the occasion as a launching pad.

"We've about ten new participants this year and this is a wonderful opportunity for them. In the past the Expo has been used as a launching ground for businesses," she said.

Ms Diaz-Berry said the Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new ten participants with "open arms and embraced them."

She said that her organisation is looking forward to having more companies join next year's trade show, adding that in two months the 2006 Expo was sold out.

However, members of the organising committee noted that the Lions Centre could become too small to host the growing number of exhibitors.

The Chamber of Commerce has already discussed the matter and would be planning for that eventuality, the media heard.

Among the sections to be represented on the Friday and Saturday, 13/14 October show are Advertising, Automotive, Communication, Directories and Publications, Distributors, and Employment Relations.

Also exhibiting in the two-day expo are Financial Services, Food and Beverage, Health, Home and Gifts, IT, Janitorial, Security, Sporting, Travel, Utilities, Seminars and Information.

At a press conference at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday, chairpersons of the organising committee brought reporters up to speed on the two-day annual event.

The Business Expo is scheduled to start at noon and end at 9:00 pm on Friday with Saturday's opening hours slated for 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Co-Chairman of the committee, Eddie Thompson, said that the exhibitors and the patrons would be impressed with this year's activities.

"We're completely excited about this one. We've revamped the whole face of it. The public and the participating members will be very pleased with the venue," he said.

"With the constraints that we've had we've done a whole lot more and we're counting on it being a lot more comfortable than in the past years."

Brian Barnes, the other Co-Chairman of the committee, listed some of the companies participating and highlighted some of the major attractions in store for the public.

He said that several seminars and a demonstration on the use of CCTV cameras would form part of the two-day show.

Also present at the press conference were main sponsors Cable and Wireless and Cayman National Corporation - the umbrella body for Cayman National Bank (CNB).

Ormond Williams, President of the CNB, said the Cayman National Corporation wanted to showcase other aspects of its business at the expo.

"We're excited about the opportunity to be a premier sponsor for this year's Business Expo," he said.

"We want to say to the public that we're more than a bank. We're under the Cayman National umbrella - a number of other companies that could provide a holistic and other solution that you want for your financial needs."

According to Mr Williams, this year's focus will be on the Cayman National Trust, Cayman National Securities and Cayman National Brokers.

Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless, Tim Adam, said that his company is looking forward to the Expo, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in the Cayman Islands.

"The Chamber of Commerce Expo provides an excellent platform for local businesses to feature their products and to do that in one location, which is easy access to all customers and prospective customers," he said.

"We believe these expos are a great way to enhance the business environment of Cayman because it gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to expose what they can do and it gives businesses of all sizes the opportunity to connect directly with customers."

Mr Adam believes the local economy will receive a boost by the staging of the Expo on an annual basis.

The Cable and Wireless official promised customers exciting new products and services, deals and prizes.

Co-Chairman Mr Thompson said that his private company benefited greatly by participating in previous expos put on by the Chamber of Commerce.

"As a past participant it was a steppingstone for me to introduce my business into the public arena. I had a very small company and it was invaluable to my organisation," he said.

Mr Thompson is optimistic that exhibitors will gain significantly from taking part in the trade show.

"It's amazing the number of people that will pass through those doors. What we are trying to achieve is networking, introducing the businesses which are out there that you wouldn't otherwise see by driving out there in your car," he said.

Mr Thompson thanked Cable and Wireless and Cayman National Corporation for their sponsorship, saying that they have recognised the importance of having the Expo.