Held at The Carrington Bathurst Function Centre, the event was attended by 17 businesses and more than 60 people.

Bathurst Business Chamber president Angus Edwards said events like this were vital in supporting local businesses and encouraging the community to shop locally.

“It really highlighted the fact there is such a diverse range of businesses in Bathurst, you don’t have to go outside Bathurst to shop,” he said.

Mr Edwards said the event was also a great opportunity for local businesses to find out more about each other, which he hopes will lead to them supporting each other more often.

“It was good to open up new discussions and I think people learnt a lot about other businesses,” he said.

“It was very successful, to get people out on a cold winter’s night is always a challenge.”

Mr Edwards said there were no particular challenges Bathurst businesses face compared to those in Orange or Dubbo, but they do have one distinct advantage.

“I don’t think we’ve got any greater challenge to other places and certainly being close to Sydney is definitely a benefit,” he said.

Bathurst Regional Council also had a stand at the expo and Mr Edwards praised council’s interest in supporting local businesses to achieve success.

“We’ve certainly got a pro-business council, which is a benefit,” he said.