A regional version of the successful Wellington Business Expo concept is being launched in Tauranga next year.

The inaugural Bay of Plenty/Waikato Business Expo will offer a prime opportunity for businesses across the country to maximise exposure to the thriving central region of Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua to reap new opportunities.

The 2018 Expo will be held at ASB Arena Tauranga on March 7.

Sharon Giblett, Director of Jigsaw Solutions Group, who is organising the event, says it aims to attract exhibitors from around New Zealand, as well as within the region.

"This will be an Expo where business gets done," she says.

"It's a great chance to access one of New Zealand's most prosperous markets."

Jigsaw Solutions Group has licensed the concept and is drawing on expertise from the Wellington Business Expo where they have been a long-time exhibitor.

Wellington's premier business-to-business expo has been run successfully by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce for several years and is the largest of its kind in the region.

Jigsaw Solutions Group is launching the Tauranga event during this week's Wellington Expo at Westpac Stadium.

"The Bay of Plenty/Waikato Business Expo will attract businesses from around New Zealand who want to tap into the buoyant Bay of Plenty and Waikato regional economies," says Giblett, who relocated from Wellington to Tauranga 18 months ago.

There are nearly 700,000 people in Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua and the surrounding communities, with almost 85,000 businesses based within this Central North Island business hub.

"We are expecting leading entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes from across the wider region.

'Visitors and exhibitors will be able to find opportunities to collaborate with others, discover new local businesses and check out the competitive landscape."

The organisers are planning to showcase more than 130 exhibitors at the ASB Arena.

Entry is free to visitors, and the organisers are expecting to draw a qualified audience of entrepreneurs and professionals from around the region.

The Expo, which runs from 9am until 4pm, will include half hourly business seminars offering valuable opportunities, insights and tips on how to improve your business, as well as pre and post exhibitor and sponsor networking sessions.

The Expo is being supported by Tauranga economic development agency Priority One, as well as the Chamber of Commerce in Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua.

Priority One Chief Executive Nigel Tutt says it was great to see the business expo come into the region.

"We look forward to it providing an opportunity for BOP businesses to shine," he says.

Giblett says event sponsorship and exhibitor trade stands are the best way to take full advantage of the opportunities on offer at this Expo.

"The Expo will be a fantastic shop window for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato," says Giblett.

He says that with long term growth the Expo can potentially be split into three regional events in Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua.

"This will be more than a networking event - it's a place to effectively grow business, create opportunities, generate leads, uncover solutions and get deals done."