Students will be able to showcase their skills and interact with industry professionals at Business Bermuda's 12th Annual College Student Networking Event (CSNE) later this year.

The event, which will be held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Thursday, July 22, will provide opportunities for the Island's current and future workforce to connect Bermuda's college students with business contacts and career-connected information.

The 2009 CSNE event hosted more than 200 students and 200 industry professionals, and the 2010 event is expected to be even bigger.

Business Bermuda CEO, Cheryl Packwood, said, "We have increased the space at the Hamilton Princess, and for the first time, we are inviting companies to participate as exhibitors.

"In previous years, we have only allowed professional organisations to exhibit at the event, but we felt that it was time to open this up to our members and other companies. We have had confirmation of 15 exhibitors already and there will only be space for around 30 exhibitors, so we urge people to contact us to secure space as soon as possible."

Professional organisations will still exhibit for free, and there will be a nominal fee for companies taking exhibition space in the Harbourview Ballroom of $200 to Business Bermuda members and $500 to non-members.

"For the past three years, we've used the concept of Speed Networking, similar to speed dating, to create an opportunity for our young people to make direct connections with industry professionals. It has always been the most popular aspect of the event, this year we intend to run one longer and larger session, with four-minute interviews," said Ms Packwood.

The event will consist of informative career seminars run by Expertise and general networking for the employer participants and students. Companies can also participate as an event sponsor by offering prizes.

In previous years, students have won seasonal internships, laptops, calling cards and iPods, with 15 prizes up for grabs. All companies are also invited to include gifts in the student goody bags.

For more information at the CSNE event contact csne@businessbermuda.org or employer participants can sign up at www.businessbermuda.org