expowest starts preparations for their Tourism and Catering show, expowest Westcountry. It will be held at Westpoint, near Exeter, over two days on February 8th and 9th 2012. Demand for stands at the show is already hotting up.

Peter Sugden, managing director of expowest organisers Exhibitions South West, said: "We're delighted to confirm our dates for 2012 and are really encouraged that we have already had an excellent response for the events, with both existing and new exhibitors contacting us early to secure their stands.

"These events are an ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services and for visitors it's an opportunity to make buying decisions for the season ahead." This year's Westpoint show will also include a tourism conference organised by Robin Barker of Services For Tourism, which handles tourism award schemes across the South West and a number of other tourism initiatives.

Among those attending will be John Ponsford, of Exeter-based refrigeration specialists K F Bartlett Ltd. He said: "We've been exhibiting with Expowest for as long as I can remember, and have only ever missed two of the Westcountry shows. "It marks the start of the season for us."