Chamber expo matches businesses with potential customers

News

Staff Writer

The 2010 Business Expo, a project of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday marked the ninth year the chamber has provided an opportunity for members and the public to meet and set the wheels in motion to do business with each other.

More than 1,000 attendees visited 119 vendors of products and services during the afternoon.

Sandra Myers set up her first expo booth for My Best Friend’s Closet, her clothing consignment shop for women size 14-plus in San Marco.

“I just opened the business in April,” she said. “I wanted to get the exposure, and people who are chamber members understand why we’re all in business. I’m also hoping to meet a lot of ladies who like fashion.”

Pat and Richard Geer from Geer Services participated in the expo in 2007 when it was held in a Downtown office tower. Having the event at the Osborn Center is what motivated them to set up a booth for their information technology business this year.

“The convention center is a bigger venue and the chamber’s expo is very affordable compared to other trade shows,” said Richard Geer.

Nova Southeastern University has been an exhibitor at the expo for the past five years. Assistant Director Cynthia Farmer said it’s common for graduates to stop by the booth.

“A lot of our students and graduates are entrepreneurs or own small businesses. We depend on them to let us know what they need to be successful. The expo is also a way to meet people and increase awareness of what we do,” she said.

Photo release

Stella the Labradoodle and Brooke Hargarther from Florida Service Dogs. The organization provides highly trained canine companions to people who need assistance with medical and mobility issues.