COMPANIES who took part in a new growth project at a business expo have secured deals and are following up dozens of leads, organisers have revealed.

Officials say the incubator zone at Durham Oktoberfest, held at Newton Aycliffe’s Xcel Centre, has helped strengthen firms’ market presence.

More than 20 companies from across County Durham exhibited as part of a Durham Business Opportunities Programme project.

The incubator zone allowed new and growing businesses, and those with little or no exhibition experience, to showcase products and services to an audience of almost 1,000 people.

Bosses have now revealed their experiences.

Lee White, owner of Bespoke Electrical, a mechanical and electrical engineering company based in Newton Aycliffe, said: “We did so well at Oktoberfest and have already started delivering a three-month consultancy contract on a furnace smelting project heading to Europe early next year, which we secured at the event.

“We have costed for a further two projects, which we’re waiting to hear back about.”

Craig Williams, managing director of vertical panel saw designer and maker Sagetech Machinery, based on Chilton Industrial Estate, near Ferryhill, also County Durham, said: “Oktoberfest was a huge success for us.

“The guys on the stand had a great day meeting many people and companies, which allowed us to discuss who we are and what we do.”

Gary Hosey, founder and owner of The Emotional Intelligence Company, added: “Our team was over the moon with the 100-plus new contacts we got from Oktoberfest.

“This, coupled with reconnecting with companies we’d had previous contact with, has meant we have one confirmed client meeting and a proposal for a coaching programme that has been sent to a prospective client.

“We are already planning to exhibit at Oktoberfest 2018.”

Each incubator zone exhibitor was given support to prepare them for the event and handed marketing materials such as flyers and banner stands.

Ben Gilhespy, operations director at County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, which organises Oktoberfest, added: “The incubator zone was one of the highlights of this year’s event.

“The companies involved got so much from it, while attendees were massively impressed with this new element of the event.

Next year’s Oktoberfest event will take place on Thursday, October 18.

For more information, visit durhamoktoberfest.org.uk.