The Black Country Chamber of Commerce Expo came back with a bang in February, and Eighty3 was right in the thick of it. Held at Wolverhampton Racecourse and Conference Centre, the event pulled in over 650 visitors from across the Midlands for a day of proper networking, great conversations, and businesses doing what businesses do best: connecting with each other.
We had an absolute belter of a day. From the moment we set up, it was non-stop. Hundreds of conversations with business owners, chamber members, new faces and familiar ones. We met the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, and even crossed paths with Wolves legend Steve Bull, who was there in his role as a business ambassador. Not a bad Tuesday, all things considered.
The atmosphere was exactly what you want from an event like this. Warm, buzzy, and full of people who genuinely care about what they do and where they do it. The Black Country has always had that community spirit, and the expo had it in abundance.
But here is where we have to be honest with you. The real headline act was not us. It was our giant inflatable cat. It caused an absolute sensation. People stopped, stared, laughed, and immediately wanted to talk to us. Whether it was a stroke of marketing genius or just a very good idea that got out of hand, we will leave that for you to decide. Either way, the cat delivered.
Events like the Black Country Chamber Expo are a reminder of why showing up in person still matters. You cannot replicate that kind of energy behind a screen. The connections made, the conversations started, the leads sparked, all of it comes from being in the room. We are already looking forward to the next one. And yes, the cat will almost certainly be making a return appearance.
