Press Kit

Good News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – February 18, 2020

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or Michelle Cruz at MWV Chamber, 603-356-5701, events@mtwashingtonvalley.org

EXPO20, WHERE WELLNESS FOR BODY, RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SOAR

            The largest annual business networking opportunity in New Hampshire’s North Country

North Conway, NH – Planning and coordination of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual business expo, entitled EXPO20, is underway.  Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at North Conway Grand Hotel and Resort for a day of learning, health screenings, networking and more. This year’s theme is Taking Care of Ourselves and Our Resources. Businesses with a focus on wellness, natural resources, housing concerns in the MWV, and health eating will be there to provide information and resources for Chamber and community members.  In addition, companies from fields of information technology, energy, recreation, insurance, media, health and wellness suppliers and more will be on hand under one roof to showcase their products and offer valuable information and collaboration. EXPO20 offers the ideal opportunity to learn about new innovations, network and meet new colleagues, launch partnerships and develop relationships between Valley businesses, plus learn from experts. EXPO20 will cap off the day with an After-Hours chance to socialize with members of the community. All the EXPO20 events are free and open to the public. 

EXPO20 is a “one-stop-event” to meet with more than 50 exhibitors from area businesses and non-profits, attractions, education, retailers, health care providers and more. In addition to the networking opportunities, this year will include free health screenings and workshops providing an opportunity for individuals and employers to meet with healthcare professionals in the Valley. For exhibitors, the Business to Business Expos offered by Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, are the best opportunity of the year to highlight your business and meet one-on-one with potential customers.

Highlights of EXPO20

Educational Workshops

Workshops focusing on wellness for individuals and the community all take place at the North Conway Grand Hotel prior to the exhibit floor opening.  Workshops are free for those who wish to attend.

12:15pm: “How the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are Affecting the Local Workforce in Mt Washington Valley and What You Can Do About It". Presented by Caleb Gilbert, Public Health Advisory Council Coordinator
ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. ACEs can also negatively impact education and job opportunities. ACEs-related toxic stress impacts can include depression, anxiety, headaches, chronic shoulder/muscle/back pain, migraines, stomach disorders, sleep problems, and other physical and emotional ailments. This presentation will help employers understand the connection and the importance of sharing this information to help employees, plus provide effective ways to improve worker, health, well-being, and performance.

1:30PM: Learn about HomeShare and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Presented by Victoria Laracy, Executive Director of MWV Housing Coalition and Dr. Marianne Jackson of the Gibson Center's HomeShare 
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can be a self-contained apartment for a family member, a caregiver, or to use as a rental unit for additional income. Homeshare is a new service that pairs homeowners who have available bedroom space with home seekers who need local, safe, affordable housing. Experience tells us there are multiple benefits for the homeowners including income, homecare services, companionship, environmental stewardship, and neighborhood safety. Learn how it works and how you can participate, and explore considerations such as costs, financing, permitting, design, and more. 

2:00PM: Film screening of Communities and Consequences, directed by Jay B. Childs
Takes you inside the world of small town New England to reveal some of the causes and effects of a graying state. Through the voices of NH citizens, Communities & Consequences uncovers the connections between local decisions and the difficulty in attracting and maintaining a working age population.

 To reserve your spot for one of these workshops, please contact Michelle at events@mtwashingtonvalley.org or 356-5701 ext. 302.

Health Screenings

A number of free health screenings will be conducted on the exhibit floor.  First, however, The Dementia Experience will start prior to the exhibit floor opening, but participation must be reserved in advance.

Dementia Experience
Presented by Memorial Hospital Maine Health and Visiting Nurse Association
This is not a screening, but an experience providing the opportunity to better understand and appreciate what it may feel like to have memory loss. Sessions are approximately 30 minutes and will begin prior to the exhibit floor opening to also allow any vendors interested in participating in this experience. To sign up for the Dementia Experience, please contact Susan Ruka at SRuka@memorialhospitalnh.org. 

Additional free health screenings available include Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose Checks.

After Hours Social Event

EXPO20 will conclude with the April After Hours event sponsored by Chalmers Insurance Group, offering continued chances for social and business networking with cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

EXPO20 is presented by the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. The premier sponsor is Chalmers Insurance Group. Eversource is the registration desk sponsor. TD Bank is the Education sponsor. Additional supporting sponsors include the Conway Daily Sun, Heartland Payment Systems, Memorial Hospital, The Valley Originals, Northeast Delta Dental, Northledge Technology and New Hampshire Electric Co-op.

This event is free to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Get to know local businesses, find resources for home and in the workplace, learn how to support good health, and solve education and business issues.

Spaces are still open for exhibitors, and opportunities for sponsorship are still available.  Please contact Michelle Cruz at events@mtwashingtonvalley.org or 356-5701 ext. 302.

To learn more about the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org.  To plan your next New Hampshire getaway, go to www.VisitNH.gov. For exhibitor opportunities and sponsorships, call 603-356-5701.

#   #   #

Photos of Business Expo 19 from past year may be found on the chamber’s online Flickr photo library.  Click here.