THE New Forest is to showcase more than 60 of its best businesses at a major event next week.

The New Forest Business Expo will take place on Wednesday, June 3, against a waterfront backdrop at Berthon Boatyard in Lymington.

Lymington is the Brand New Forest Town of the Year this year.

The event, the first of its kind, will feature New Forest businesses from a range of sectors, including marine, engineering and hospitality. It will provide business owners, entrepreneurs and start-ups with an opportunity to network with local businesses of all sizes, meet with industry experts and make new contacts.

It is being organised by Brand New Forest, New Forest Business Partnership, TheBestOf New Forest, Lymington Retail Group, Lymington.com, and Escape Yachting, supported by New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council.

Brand New Forest was created to support the local economy and to help the community get the best out of the area’s unique environment.

The business to business exhibition will feature more than 50 exhibitors, to help provide imaginative ideas, leads and potential future clients.

Non-exhibitors can visit the exhibition for free.

It will feature a barbecue by prominent Lymington restaurant Fine Food 4 Sail. There will be tours of Berthon Boatyard’s boat-building and re-fitting facilities.

Anthony Climpson, employment and tourism manager at New Forest District Council, said: “We’ve been trying to find the right type of event to showcase local business excellence for a number of years.

“The New Forest has some world class marine, engineering and hospitality businesses and the concept of the New Forest Business Expo is a great opportunity to showcase their offer to regional buyers, local decision makers and the general public. We are looking forward to working with all our partners to deliver a great show in a great location.”

The event runs from 10am-4pm. For details, or to book visitor tickets, visit brandnewforest.com/new-forest-business-expo-2015, or follow @NForestBizExpo on Twitter.