Beaufort County businesses are once again gathering to showcase their operations and network with others at the annual Beaufort County Business Expo on Wednesday.

The event attracts a variety of people from job seekers to networkers and will take place at Beaufort County Community College in Building 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Robin McKeithan, business manager at the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the event with BCCC’s Small Business Center, said the business expos have been around for more than 10 years in some form.

She said this year there are more than 30 local businesses participating, and due to the vast interest in the event, they were forced to turn away some businesses that wanted to participate.

“We were full. We had to turn people away this year, which we’ve never done before,” McKeithan said.

The expo will offer three seminars: “Resources for Prospective and Current Small Business Owners” with Small Business Center Director Lentz Stowe; “Making Leadership Magical — The Secret Positive Approach to Leading and Winning with People” with business consultant and motivational speaker John Formica and “Legal Entities and Your Business” with attorney Will Mayo.

According to McKeithan, organizers of the expo try to include incentives, such as the seminars and free lunch for Chamber members, to attract visitors. This year Carolina East Medical Associates will be on site to administer flu shots to those who want them, she said.

“It is different year to year. That’s why we try to offer different things,” McKeithan said. “It is a wide range of people.”

She said last year’s business expo was moved to its current location at the Small Business Center at BCCC, which was a move and partnership that has made planning for this year easier.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the expo for the businesses, besides interacting with the public, is the opportunity to network with other local businesses in the area, McKeithan said.

She said that is a big reason why businesses keep coming back to participate over the years.

“It’s just a great chance to come out and see what local businesses have to offer,” McKeithan said.