BUSINESSES were today urged to sign up for events for Open 4 Business next week.

The festival begins with the traditional curtain raiser, a business breakfast at the Portland Spa, on Monday morning.

There will be a fortnight of seminars, exhibitions, lunches, business breakfasts, workshops and open days.

The extravaganza comes to a climax with the annual excellence awards dinner and presentations, sponsored by Weymouth Football Club, at Weymouth College on October 16.

The theme of this year's Open 4 Business is "maximising the 2012 Olympic opportunities".

One of the main events lined up this year is a Marine Day at Osprey Quay on October 14 from 10am to 3pm.

The free event is titled "Focusing on Weymouth and Portland's Marine Industry Opportunities up to 2012".

James Rowley, from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for the marine industry in Weymouth and Portland as can be seen from our own activities at Osprey Quay where we are investing to unlock the area's business potential as a centre for marine industries.

"Improved sailing facilities at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy are almost finished, the new Portland Marina is due to be open on April 1, 2009, and plans for new employment space and mixed development at the Castle Court development are moving forward."

The event comes as Weymouth and Portland's reputation as a centre for marine excellence grows.

Marine Day is aimed at attracting industry representatives and businesses from the South West interested in the opportunities the borough provides.

It is also aimed at young people thinking about future careers in the marine industry and members of organisations who would like to find out more about marine developments in the run up to 2012.

The day starts at 10am at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy with a series of seminars about opportunities for the marine industry in Weymouth and Portland.

Booking is essential as places are limited.

Visit the Open 4 Business website at www.o4business.co.uk, e-mail event manager Chris Smart at chris@creativesolutions-uk.com or call him on 01305 824900.