The Kent Construction Expo returns next week - with thousands of visitors expected to attend.

Running for more than 14 years, the one-day event gathers together those from across the construction industry.

Around 2,500 visitors are expected to attend to listen to a line-up of expert speakers, meet-the-buyer sessions and a host of round table discussions examining key aspects of the construction industry.

The exhibition halls will be filled by more than 150 different business from across the supply chain.

Taking place at the Kent Event Centre in Detling on Tuesday, October 6, the event is organised by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Says a spokesman for the expo: "The event is all about promoting knowledge and collaborative working. With developers, designers, contractors, surveyors, consultants, product manufacturers and many more attending this event, businesses from all over Kent are given a brilliant opportunity to develop through being informed and meeting new business contacts."

Among those businesses attending will be the likes of local firms Baxall, Jenner, Bauvill, Kier, Willmott Dixon, DHA Planning, Lee Evans Partnership and Clague Architects. They will be joined by clients, consultants, educators and building control officers.

Key topics to be discussed will include building sustainably, new building regulations and digital construction.

The opening keynote is being made by Roma Agrawal, the structural engineer responsible for the Shard’s spire, with her speech ‘Breaking the Black Box’ of engineering technology. Also speaking is government advisor on the golden thread and the Building Safety Act, Bola Abisogun OBE, and circular economy expert Duncan Baker-Brown of architects Baker-Brown.

The main event runs from 9am to 4pm and entrance is free. To register for tickets, visit kentconstructionexpo.com.

There is also a networking breakfast running from 7.30am to 9pm which features the developer Mark Quinn 'in conversation'. Entrance to that costs £27 plus VAT. A gala dinner will also take place after the event - although is now fully booked.

The event's media partner is KM Media Group - publishers of KentOnline.