Charitable Social Enterprise GLL is inviting businesses in West Kent to showcase themselves and take up workshop opportunities at the West Kent Expo '26.

The free one-day event on 11 March at The River Centre, Tonbridge is delivered jointly with Invest West Kent and will see up to 400 businesses attend alongside over 60 exhibitors.

As well as networking opportunities, the event provides useful workshops on AI, procurement and wellbeing in the workplace. A Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) business panel will curate presentations on the local economic landscape and opportunities.

IWK is a partnership of Sevenoaks District Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

It's the third annual West Kent Expo - and the first to be delivered by GLL.

The 33-year-old London-based charity - best known for its national leisure and libraries operation - delivers high-impact free business events via its Business Start-Up Service in libraries and delivers the West Kent Business Programme funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Vicki Thornhill from GLL Business Start-Up Support said:

"West Kent already offers a great environment in which to conduct commerce. What the Expo '26 does is create a platform to connect and grow those businesses.

"With the backing of the three local authorities and the UK Government, there has never been a better time to go for growth."

"The West Kent Business Programme marks GLL's first business support contract outside London and draws on our experience of delivering high quality services for businesses.

"We have seen elsewhere how local business is keen to engage with our expert support through our libraries service.

"Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Now we want to extend this to entrepreneurs in West Kent to help them access opportunities there to expand and thrive."

A Spokesperson for Invest West Kent said:

"The West Kent Expo has become a key fixture in our local business calendar, bringing together innovation, opportunity and collaboration in one place.

"Working in partnership with GLL and our three local authorities, Invest West Kent is proud to support an event that helps businesses connect, learn and grow. Expo ’26 reflects our shared ambition to strengthen West Kent’s economy, champion our business community and create the right conditions for investment and sustainable growth across the area."

To promote visibility of the event and the businesses taking part, the event will feature a roaming reporter interviewing exhibitors and livestreaming to West Kent socials and businesses owners.

Exp '26 Sponsor Packages are available at £2199 plus VAT and Exhibition Stands at £449 plus VAT. Includes complimentary drinks reception at event end.

For more information, email: expo@gll.org or visit: westkentbusiness.com/expo