THE sixth annual Wrexham Business Forum once more proved a success in exposing local businesses to national attitudes.

As part of the Wrexham Science Festival, the Forum, staged at Bangor-on-Dee racecourse, was an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain inspiration and ideas for their own business.

In all 120 businesspeople turned up to the event, which was supported by Wrexham County Borough Council, the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and the BBC.

'It is a great opportunity for businesses to hear from people they would never normally get the opportunity to meet,' said festival event director Peter Harrison.

'In the past we have had people like Birmingham City chairman Karren Brady and director-general of the Confederation of British Industry Digby Jones.

'This year our speakers were motivational expert Adrian Webster, Barclay's Stockbrokers economist and broadcaster Henk Potts and Richard Wilson, head of policy of the Institute of Directors.

'Adrian spoke about the importance of very obviously valuing your workforce, praising them and looking after them to keep their spirits up and keep them motivated.

'He highlighted the importance of listening to their concerns and addressing them adequately, because a happy workforce is a lot harder working than a miserable one.

'Henk Potts gave a summary of the current state of the UK's finances with reference to Gordon Brown's budget, then Richard Wilson spoke on business practice.

'The forum also heard from two local entrepreneurs - Karen Graham from Active Childcare, in Wrexham, and Jo Lord, of Structured Outlooks, in Saltney.

'They both told the Forum about their own experiences in business, setting them up from nothing and building them into successful enterprises.

'The hope is that businesses take away some inspiration from the speakers and even some ideas for their own business so that they thrive.

'This Forum is always popular and hopefully helpful in making Wrexham businesses successful and stable.'