By Judy Singley, Event Manager, Small Business Development Manager

Special thanks to all who helped make the Chamber’s Business EXPO a festive occasion to remember. Although the number of vendors was down from previous years, participation to help make the Chamber’s 125^th anniversary celebration special was remarkable and memorable, and shows the loyalty and enthusiasm of our members. View photos here.

EXPO could not be held without the generous support of our sponsors this year:  Business Examiner, Print NW, Balloon Masters, Franciscan Occupational Health, Courtyard by Marriott, Titan 360.com, LifeWise Assurance Company, Travel Leaders, Premera Blue Cross, Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Rusty George Creative. Much gratitude and appreciation to all of our sponsors!

More than 60 Chamber members donated promotional items and gift certificates to fill “thank you” gift bags, valued at over $100, which were distributed to each exhibitor and given to each volunteer who helped make EXPO a huge success. Each exhibitor was also given an EXPO commemorative poster signed by artist Rusty George, of Rusty George Creative, the genius behind the illustrated art-work for this year’s EXPO marketing materials, which was donated by Rusty.

Aramark donated the tasty and well received continental breakfast for exhibitors the morning of EXPO. Arthur Murray Dance Studio sponsored a dance competition by donating dance lessons, valued at nearly $2,000, to four Chamber members – Heather Rosenthal of Sonitrol Pacific; David Printz of The Gurus; Lorraine Chambers of  Rainier Connect; and Demetrius Diamond of Hampton Inn & Suites. The winner was Lorraine Chambers. Franciscan Occupational Health, an EXPO sponsor, helped “squash the flu bug” by dispensing 100 flu shots to exhibitors and attendees during the event. Print NW generously donated the production of the downtown banner (a value of  $2,000) advertising EXPO, which hung on Pacific Avenue two weeks prior to the event date. Titan 360.com, which produced the Pierce Transit EXPO bus signs, donated advertising on the Link and a bus shelter located at Pacific and 38^th Street . Travel Leaders donated a grand prize trip by Disney Vacations (a value of $800), which was awarded at the end of the day, by a business card drawing, to Tracy Lorsch of Iron Mountain.

Complimentary workshops throughout the day provided free learning opportunities on topics ranging from planning vacations, by Travel Leaders; social media, by You Rock Communications; public relations strategies, by Communique PR; establishing WorkWell programs in the workplace and power pack lunches, by MultiCare Center for Healthy Living; and dressing for success, by Nordstroms.

Booth competition awards, donated by Lazer Trends, were presented to Chuckals Office Products for “Best of Show” (who will receive a FREE EXPO booth next year); Arthur Murray Dance Studio for “Most Dazzling Display”; Courtyard by Marriot for “Cream of the Cop”; and Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing for “Top Dog”.

The results are still coming in.  “Marketing exposure, networking, PR, stronger business community presence, and finding new business” remain the top reasons to participate in EXPO, with many exhibitors returning year after year to make connections and obtain sales leads.  The highest number of leads obtained during EXPO so far is 50. When asked how follow up will be made, here are some responses: “send a special promotion as a thank you for stopping by my exhibit”; “emails, letters and phone calls”;  “create a spreadsheet and reach out at 5, 30, 30, 60, and 90 day in the form of handwritten notes, letters, emails and phone call.”  Now that’s what you call “power through connections!”