Sussex Business Show 2025
It was the morning of the Sussex Business Show at the Brighton Dome, and the bacon was sizzling in Redroaster as we all carried roller banners and boxes full of sweet treats through the Corn Exchange. I had barely opened my eyes, having gone into business for the sole purpose of avoiding early mornings…yet somehow now doing more than ever. Sonny Cutting did a fantastic job of building a buzz around the upcoming show, with its retro gaming theme and the community spirit it supports. The Sussex Business Show has carved out a distinctive niche amongst regional B2B events by combining the traditional functions of an exhibition with a playful, gaming overlay.
The Brighton Dome was a fantastic choice, central, well known, architecturally characterful and perfectly capable of housing multiple breakout rooms, exhibition halls, and the various themed zones. Its location made it easily accessible and helped with footfall. The exhibition was free to attend for visitors, with the show hosting just over 90 stands showcasing some brilliant businesses from across the Sussex business community.
Once we were all set up, a delicious breakfast spread was provided by Redroaster. Sponsored by Evolve, the breakfast networking session was a fantastic opportunity to get to know fellow exhibitors and a few early bird attendees. Alongside a crispy bacon roll was a generous helping of avocado toast and an array of tantalising pastries. A quick speech from Evolve’s own Bruce Bignell rounded off the morning, and then it was back to setting up in the Corn Exchange.
Attendees arrived through the Dome’s iconic frontage, greeted by the bustle of exhibitors, the buzz of early networking, and the promise of a carefully themed environment. From the moment the doors opened, the room filled with chatter as the atmosphere built with excitement. The scent in the air was a tempting mix of samosas from the Durban Curry Club and sweet gingerbread from Fay Millar of Gingerbread World. Food wasn’t limited to samples, either – you could play darts with OurHR People to win retro chocolate bars, stop by Acumen Law for a refreshing can of Coca-Cola, or visit my own stand where I was offering lemon-flavoured cookies lovingly baked by Shannon at Sponge Happy.
The schedule for the day was ambitious, with a blend of talks, wellness, gaming, and networking. Highlights included the Thought Leader Talks with Emma Draper, Toby Moore, Pippa Moyle, and Kyriakos Baxevanis, being looked after by Lyndsey Clay of Connected Brighton and the inspiring Health & Wellbeing Bootcamp talks, hosted by Kelly Moreno of Key Minds Coaching. The sessions left many attendees feeling motivated, enriched, and eager to implement what they had learned.
If you were lucky, you might have caught a glimpse of Sonny darting past in his trademark orange waistcoat. Ever the host, he was full of energy, chatting with exhibitors and encouraging everyone to get involved. Before long, we were whisked away for a round of Speed Networking with a twist – musical chairs. The format gave structure to meeting new contacts while keeping things light-hearted, and as soon as we realised the prize was a bottle of fizz from Bolney Wine Estate, the competition heated up! By the end, I’d made connections with some wonderful people I might never have met otherwise.
The Mystery Shopping / CX Award and Best Stand contest added further excitement and incentives for exhibitors. Inkie were crowned Best Stand winners, while the brilliant GoSucceed scooped the Customer Service Award. Many stands offered fantastic giveaways, from sweet treats to grand prizes… including Placr Recruitment, who were running a competition to win a trip to New York! With 90 stands in total, the show struck the perfect balance: large enough to feel substantial, yet small enough to remain manageable and personal.
Overall, the Sussex Business Show 2025 was ambitious, bold, and distinctive. I had such a lovely time connecting and reconnecting with businesses from across Sussex. The Brighton business scene was booming, and this was not “just another expo”…it was a true experience. The choice of theme, the retro gaming elements, the wellness talks, and the interactive awards all elevated the event to new heights. It was, without doubt, one of the most memorable business events in the region.
Social media and post-event LinkedIn posts reinforced the day’s vibrancy, with many praising the new connections made, the inspiration gained, and the memorable stand interactions. The immersive, playful elements gave everyone plenty to talk about beyond just business meetings.
For attendees, it was a full experience: connection, inspiration, enjoyment. For exhibitors, it was a platform to engage and be visible. For the Sussex business ecosystem as a whole, it was an event that proved regional shows can be both imaginative and invaluable. The Sussex Business Show 2025 has set a new benchmark for what business expos in the region can be.”
