ALMOST 100 exhibitors are taking part in a business show to be held in Folkestone on September 16.

The 2004 Channel Business to Business Show takes place at The Grand from 9.30am-4.30pm. It is an annual event, normally staged at the Leas Cliff Hall and this year, for the first time, will include a tourism and leisure showcase.

The show gives local businesses a chance to show other firms what they have to offer. It is hoped businesses will network with each other and find new local suppliers.

The tourism and leisure showcase is a cross-Channel trade show for UK and continental industry professionals. The idea is to push Shepway as a tourist destination. Ten travel agents from North America are due to attend the show with tourist attractions in Kent having stands to show off some of the district's attractions.

John Reed, a board member on the South East England Development Agency, is to open the event.

The organisers are the Channel Chamber of Commerce and Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.

Channel Chamber of Commerce manger Dawn Hudd said the event had moved from the Leas Cliff Hall as The Grand offered a bigger space, with around 25 more stands to accommodate this year.

She said: "The aim is to encourage local businesses throughout Kent to show others what they are doing, to make new contacts and strengthen business links."

Peter Hobbs, chief executive at the Channel Chamber of Commerce, said: "There has been an excellent take up of stands by companies and organisations which provide business support, professional services and manufactured products.

"As a first-time event, the tourism and leisure showcase has attracted considerable interest on both sides of the Channel as well as from cross-Channel carriers. Eurotunnel, P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Norfolkline have booked stands and London Ashford International Airport, base of the Lydd-Le Touquet scheduled service and air excursions operator Lydd Air will also be there."