ORGANISERS behind a business expo have promised the event will return bigger and better next year.

Durham Oktoberfest took place yesterday (Thursday, October 20), attracting hundreds of visitors.

The event, which allows engineering and manufacturing businesses from across the region to meet potential suppliers and clients, was held at the Xcel Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Featuring scores of exhibitors, the expo this year incorporated a panel debate for the first time, which included Liz Mayes, regional director of manufacturers’ group, EEF, and Tom Dower, principal at Aycliffe’s £10m South Durham University Technical College.

Subjects during the question and answer session included work to address the skills gap and how the area’s businesses must shout about their successes more.

David Land, chairman at County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN), which organises Oktoberfest, said he was delighted with the way the event was received.

He said: “We had a great feeling on the day and the exhibitors were pleased.

“What we want is quality and we got that.

“There was a real buzz about the place and a real positive vibe.

“We’ll start on 2017’s event in November.”

Mr Land confirmed he was looking at running the panel debate, which also included Matt Atkinson, of software firm Nine Works; Colin Bell, business growth director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership; Roger O’Brien, director of automotive and manufacturing advanced practice at the University of Sunderland; and the Bignall Group’s John Bignall, next year.

He added: “Oktoberfest is in its ninth year and we’ve got to find the best way of planning what people want.”

However, Mr Land also revealed he wanted CDEMN, which aims to ensure employers in the area continue their growth, to go well beyond Oktoberfest and foster improvements across the region’s business environment.

He added: “It’s about creating that network and finding the best ways to use CDEMN.”