Expo showcases local business
More than 60 businesses participated in the first Fayette Chamber of Commerce Business and Technology Expo Thursday at Uniontown Mall. “We are very pleased with the way this has turned out,’ said Muriel Nuttall, chamber executive director.
Nuttall said the expo has a two-fold purpose: to provide an opportunity for business to showcase their products and make business-to-business contacts; and to give the public an opportunity to learn about what Fayette County businesses have to offer.
Nuttall explained the expo was organized after an annual poling of the 550 chamber members on what events they would like to have.
“I felt I’d be happy if we got 30 vendors to participate,’ Nuttall said. More than twice that number signed up, making her “ecstatic.’ She also hoped for at least five premier sponsors. Nine signed up.
“This is absolutely an event that we will continue to hold,’ she said. “We might look at the day its held but the venue, Uniontown Mall, has been perfect. The mall has really been incredible helping us with this,’ she said.
While the public portion of the expo didn’t open until 10 a.m., Nuttall said participating businesses were invited to begin setting up at 7 a.m.
“That was a great aspect of this event, the business-to-business networking,’ she said.
The expo also featured four seminars held throughout the day. Two covered human resources issues and two covered technology information.
The first seminar was “Top Ten Statements that Will Get Employers Sued (And How to Avoid Them)”, presented by attorney John A. McCreary of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.
The second HR seminar was presented by Larry Fagan, owner of Fagan Sanitary Services. This seminar, “The Attitude Adjustment Hour,” focused on individual attitudes in the workplace and how they can both positively and negatively effect other employees, customers, etc.
Jeremy Burnworth of Creative Computer Concepts presented the first technology seminar, “ASP’s and How They Can Help Your Business Succeed.”
The second technology seminar, “Wireless Data … Just what is a Blackberry Anyway?,’ was presented by Bob Lafon, vice president of Freedom Wireless.
“We didn’t know what to expect,’ said Bob Garrett of the Community Foundation of Fayette County. “There have been some real positive things in this with the seminars,’ he said.
“The response has been great,’ Clara Pascoe, community foundation executive director, added. “I have been telling people about the community foundation and what it does to get the information out,’ she said.
Ron Smith, general manager of Miller’s Yamaha of Uniontown and Rostraver Township, another vendor, said he would “absolutely participate in this again.
“We are giving away a $10,000 jet ski, in conjunction with Froggy Radio, and we had so many people enter the drawing I had to get more coupons. We hadn’t planned on such a great response.’
Val J. Laub, vice president and publisher of the Herald-Standard, one of the premier sponsors, used the event to promote a newspaper service that will be launched this summer.
“We are showcasing our new product, our online advertising program,’ Laub said.
Laub explained customers will be able to place ads on the Herald-Standard’s Web site, pay for them online and write them to their own specifications.
“The traffic has been very good. We have made a lot of new contacts for our Web site. It’s been a great source for networking with other local businesses and help people get to know our products and services,’ Laub added.
“Without a doubt, we would participate again in this event,’ he said.
More information on the expo is available by calling the chamber at 724-437-4571.