Local News
Balancing Time and Curiosity at Chesterfield Business Expo
David Lilley makes a flying visit to a busy Chesterfield Business Expo at the Casa Hotel — and finds warm hospitality, useful conversations and plenty of reasons to return.
David Lilley 1 October 2026
In a very busy professional life juggling multiple projects, sometimes things come along that you really want to do, but you simply do not have enough time to do them. Today was one of those days. However, my curiosity was caught by the Chesterfield Business Expo taking place at the Casa Hotel between 10:00 and 3:00, so I managed to pop along for forty-five minutes. I am certainly glad I made the effort.
The Casa Hotel always sets good standards. The ambience within the downstairs bar and restaurant area is always welcoming, the service is quick, and I do love the positive, fragrant smell when you walk through the doors.
Efficiency Meets Warmth
You can always tell when an event like this is going to be popular because the car park was absolutely crammed, and it was only the fortune of arriving at the right time that opened up a parking slot for me.
“The Casa Hotel always sets good standards. The ambience within the downstairs bar and restaurant area is always welcoming.”
Inside, the event was incredibly well signposted. I had registered late last night, but the lady behind the reception desk was incredibly helpful; she very efficiently took my business card, registered me, and pointed out where I needed to go.
Familiar Faces and Unexpected Treasures
Because I did not have a huge amount of time, I probably spent twenty-five of my forty-five minutes catching up with people I know. It was great to connect with a good friend of mine, David Heugh, who works for Vine Hotels, and also my friend Nick Johnson, who was on the Chesterfield Community Trust stand.
Aside from catching up with old friends, I also made a good few hotel connections. The upstairs exhibition was vibrant and busy, featuring a varied mix of exhibitors from all professions, and the stands seemed genuinely engaged in useful conversations with delegates. If you wanted to take away a piece of chocolate to munch on, a cupcake, a free pen, a writing pad, or a can of energy drink to try, you certainly would not have been disappointed—I saw plenty of people carrying the freebies they had gathered as they went around the stands.
Looking Forward
“From what I observed during the time I was there, the event was very well organised.”
From what I observed during the time I was there, the event was very well organised. The space, which before I went I thought might be a little bit tight, actually worked really quite well. It gave me the feeling that if ever they have another event there, it is the sort of gathering that I would probably be interested in attending—or possibly exhibiting at ourselves.
The same company that organised this event does other events around Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, and The Chesterfield Times will do our best to report on some of those worthwhile business events.