Press Kit

12th Annual Business Expo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 13th, 2010
CONTACT: Siiri Grubb, 603-356-5701 ext. 304, siiri@mtwashingtonvalley.org

12th Annual Business Expo will be Held May 24th at Omni Mount Washington Resort
One of the largest business networking events in the North Country welcomes industry leaders this May at Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH

NORTH CONWAY -- The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold their 12th Annual Business Expo on May 24th at Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. The expo show floor will open 9 a.m. welcoming business leaders, industry professionals and the public alike.

Business focused individuals are encouraged to attend the expo for one of the ‘greatest marketing and networking opportunities of the year.’ The six hour expo, FREE to the public when dropping a business card at the door, boasts nearly 100 exhibitors and silent auction.

The Business Expo focused on the promotion of business through networking, marketing and education, will feature three workshops responding to the many requirements needed for business operation and the very latest in infrastructure telecommunication and business technologies. The expo workshops include:
•   “The Power of Email Marketing” by Corissa St. Laurent, Constant Contact’s Regional Development Director for New England. Corissa will show expo attendees how to use Constant Contact’s email marketing software to create attractive, professional-looking email communications, surveys and event marketing communications to reach their target markets.
•   “The Customer's Always Wrong - It's Not My Fault” by Carl E. Lindblade adjunct professor of Hospitality Management at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at UNH. An adult approach to customer service, this session for owners and managers teaches innovative techniques for assuring continued customer satisfaction.
•   “How to Harness the Power of the Social Mediasphere” by Sean Bossie of 4signals Media. Sean will instruct how to harness the power of the social media sphere through facebook, twitter, blogs, squidoo, digg, del.icio.us and many others to leverage the internet and reach out to customers effectively and inexpensively with targeted messages that customers seek out, not ignore.

The awards luncheon, sponsored by Mount Washington Graph-Fx & Printing LLC, will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m., honoring exemplary companies and individuals that demonstrate the business spirit that keeps Mt. Washington Valley thriving. The luncheon is highlighted by the recognition of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business Entrepreneur of the Year, Employer of the Year, Student Entrepreneur of the Year, Fledgling Entrepreneur of the Year, Fledgling Employee of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year and the Business Expo booth awards including Best Marketing Message, Best Use of Theme, and People's Choice Award. Tickets to the awards luncheon and workshops are $40 per person and must be purchased ahead of time by calling Suzy Halwick at 603-356-5701 ext. 307 or online at www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.

Businesses looking to market their products and/or services or expand their customer base are encouraged to purchase a booth at the Business Expo for $425 ($300 for MWV Chamber members) or $275 for non profit organizations ($175 for non profit MWV Chamber members). Those wishing to purchase a display booth at the expo are encouraged to do so early, as spaces are limited and historically sell out. Those wishing to increase their exposure at the 12th Annual Business Expo may consider becoming an expo sponsor with premiere booth space, advertising opportunities and publicity on all expo publications.

In addition to booth space, other marketing opportunities are available for businesses looking to target to over 400 annual attendees that come to the Business Expo. Ad space may be purchased in the Business Expo event program guide that not only circulates throughout the expo, but is an insert in The Conway Daily Sun (distribution: 16,100) and Berlin Daily Sun (distribution: 8,925) for a total distribution of over 25,425. In addition, businesses may choose to showcase their company, new products and must haves for 2010 by donating to the 7th Annual Expo Silent Auction available to the public for the duration of the expo. Donor businesses participating in the silent auction will gain additional exposure by being profiled in the program guide in addition to having free pre-event publicity and their donation displayed at the Business Expo.

This year's Business Expo is sponsored by Public Service of NH, Time Warner Cable Business Class, Magic 104, Visitor Information Radio, Citizens Bank, Eastern Propane & Oil, Mount Washington Graph-Fx & Printing LLC, MWV Economic Council, Northway Bank, Omni Mount Washington Resort, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., The Conway Daily Sun and Tim DiPietro Electric.

For more information about the 12th Annual Business Expo, including booth registration, business award nominations, advertising or event information contact Mary Seavey at 603-356-5701 ext. 305 or visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.

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