Business Expo, the business-to-business event of the year, will take place for the 31st time on Thursday, June 6th at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House. And it’s as fresh and powerful a business opportunity as it has ever been, so please don’t miss out.

With up to 149 exhibitors drawing some 2,000 people during the day, there is simply no more efficient and effective way for businesses of all kinds to achieve so much exposure and interaction in one place on a single day. Period. From making and refreshing customer connections to highlighting new products and services to creating enhanced aware- ness, every area business and non-profit should consider exhibiting.

And there’s a very special and effective marketing event exclusive for exhibitors in the morning. From 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Expo is only open to exhibitors and their people, featuring KICK START which is a period of speed networking with all of the other exhibitors in the center of the show. The last two years, this has become a much-anticipated part of the day with plenty of success stories coming from the one-minute pitches and follow-up conversations. But again, ONLY EXHIBITORS can participate in this session.

So, if you haven’t signed up yet to exhibit, call Jody Parks at the Chamber at (518) 563-1000 and see if we have some available spaces.

For everyone else, you really must devote some time that afternoon to attend and see the great exhibits from 12:00 to 4:30, meet people, and learn about products and services you otherwise wouldn’t know about. Every business operation, professional and non-profit organization will find value. Indeed, companies and employers in the area should make a point of having not just one attendee but several over the course of the afternoon. For example, HR managers, purchasing managers, finance people, IT people, office managers and salespeople will all gain different types of value that you’ll miss out on if only one of them attends.

And attending is also just a great way to again see what a remarkably diverse, capable and creative business community we have and to support the Chamber and its biggest business event of the year! It’s always an amazing day, entirely organized by Chamber staff and volunteers. Admission is only $5 which supports the Chamber’s small business support pro- grams throughout the year.

But wait! There is also a small business workshop taking place at Expo this year, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “Why It’s a Prime Time to Own a Business!” Conducted by our partners from SUNY Canton SBDC @ Clinton Community College, along with SCORE and the North Country Chamber,

this will be a great program for anyone you know who has an interest in starting a business. Registration is free along with free Expo admission, so pass the word and call the Chamber at (518) 563-1000 to register or register on line at northcountrychamber.com.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors for ensuring another success: TWINSTATE Technologies, Coryer Staffing, Community Bank NA, WFFF and WVNY, The Sun Community News and Printing, and Commercial Sales Business Supply. Thanks as well to La Quinta Inn & Suites and Agency Insurance for sponsoring free coffee all day in the central networking area.