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Kent's business show of the year was hailed a "stonking" success and the best yet as 4,000 people turned up determined to beat the recession.

Kent 2020 Vision at Detling County Showground attracted a stellar cast of speakers, including Olympic medallist Kriss Akabusi, broadcaster Andrew Neil, travel expert Simon Calder and marketing guru Geoff Burch.

A record number of exhibitors - more than 300 - took up 1.2km of floor space which buzzed with activity from dawn to dusk.

Kent’s fourth annual conference and business to business expo was organised by Business Link and part of Kent County Council’s "Backing Kent Business" campaign to help Kent’s firms weather the downturn. The event - the largest of its kind ever staged in the county - was hosted by former radio personality Barbara Sturgeon.

At the show’s final event, a gala dinner with motivational speaker Kriss Akabusi, she said: "It’s been a stonking day. In the light of all the negatives we read about the current state of the economy, I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I just wondered how the day was going to go.

"Well, it’s been sensational. Without exception, the buzz and the proactive attitude and the whole venue has been so uplifting and if you’ve been part of that, I salute you. Kent is doing business - it ain’t all doom and gloom."

~Listen: Hear Kriss Akabusi tell of the need to be optimistic in times of recession

Kevin Lynes, KCC’s Cabinet member for regeneration, said Kent was a special place and everyone should be proud of "where we live." He urged everyone to "tell the story of how we are working in Kent and winning against recession."

Kriss Akabusi wound up an inspirational take by saying: "Step into the arena with passion pride and can-do attitude. Business leaders, Kent community, step up because you know you will make the difference."

~ Watch our video interview with Kriss Akabusi >>>

Simon Edridge, founder of marketing and PR firm Simon Edridge Associates, based in Canterbury, was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the time and day - 11.30am on April 2 - he founded the firm.

It cost him £1,000 to have a stand and it was worth every penny. "You’d never get an opportunity to meet this number of people in a day," he said.

Bob Jones, managing director of Business Link Kent, summed up the show: "We are rasing the bar but it means so much more to business when it's really tough.

"The positive attitude today was all about being able to do something for yourself and make a difference. By taking action, we feel better and things get better."