ISLEXPO is back for a third year and returns to the Villa Marina on May 16.

Created in 2016 to launch the £50m Enterprise Development Scheme, the island’s biggest business conference was originally built around three core concepts - start, grow and locate.

Next year’s event will centre on the theme of ’locate’ to explore the many benefits of living, working and basing a local or global business here.

Some 1,700 delegates attended ISLEXPO 2017, a 70% increase on the previous year.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly said the event costs a six-figure sum to stage but that sponsorship is growing.

He said ISLEXPO was aimed at ’exploring and celebrating what makes the Isle of Man a prime place for local and global businesses to call home’.

The 2018 event will focus on attracting and retaining talent, future proofing the job market, export and expansion, funding and a fresh focus on local food and drink and the creative industries.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact [email protected] or 332903.