Chamber sets 2015 Business Expo date

VW Area Chamber of Commerce information

After two years of sold-out, packed exhibitor space, the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Wassenberg Art Center will host this year’s Van Wert Business Expo & Taste of Van Wert on Thursday, September 24.

Businesses can grow their bottom line and visibility in northwest Ohio at this year’s Expo all in the stunning new Wassenberg Art Center, located at 215 S. Washington St. (U.S. 127), the gateway to downtown Van Wert and the perfect venue to showcase a company’s products and services.

Each participating business will have the opportunity to reach key customers, business executives, management and the community at large. Businesses interested in taking part should register as soon as possible, or by Friday, September 12, as the Chamber is close to selling out yet again.

The Van Wert Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County combines the best of two worlds into one event to showcase area businesses.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

• 2:30-4 p.m. — For exhibitors exclusively: business to business connecting, networking and learning, featuring R & R Employment, R & R Medical Staffing and Personal Touch Specialties CEO Leslie Rhoades, CSP. Rhoades will facilitate interactive networking activities to create opportunities to make and build relationships to grow client bases and generate leads.
• 4:30-7 p.m. — Open to the public: Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County is open and free to the public.  Visitors will enjoy free “eats and sweets” from local establishments and a cash bar while visiting the business exhibit booths.

“The Chamber loves presenting this opportunity to our business community,” said Chamber President/CEO Susan Munroe. “It offers two events in one, with the afternoon devoted to stimulating a company’s business to business reach and the early evening to reaching greater Van Wert area consumers.

“With sold-out exhibit space and increased attendance at the Expo’s last two years, we took a look at other venue options that would accommodate more exhibitors and visitors,” Munroe added. “The Wassenberg Art Center will be a great fit offering more space, a central location and ample parking.”

The Expo will host once again The Taste of Van Wert County, featuring selections from a variety of Van Wert area eateries. Visitors can browse the business exhibits from 4:30-7 p.m. while enjoying free Taste of Van Wert County samples and also have the choice of purchasing beverages from the Wassenberg’s cash bar.

The Van Wert Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County offers exhibitors the opportunity to:

• Exhibit in expanded space at Wassenberg Art Center, the catalyst for creative expression in northwest Ohio.
• Expand one’s area customer base in one day with this event.
• Showcase products and services to business customers and consumers.
• Make connections and generate leads.
• Increase visibility and build one’s image.
• Be featured in the Van Wert Area Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County Exhibitor Guide.

The Chamber urges all businesses to secure an exhibit booth today, as space is limited. Booth space includes free Wi-Fi, a listing in the Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County Exhibitor Guide, an 8-foot display table with tablecloth and up to two Bob Evans box lunches. Chamber members may reserve a space for $125, while the non-member rate is $225.

The Chamber also invests in multimedia promotion to attract numerous area buyers to assure quality event traffic.

Premier sponsors for this event are Alexander & Bebout and Central Insurance Companies. Gold sponsors for this event include Central Soft Water Systems, Culligan, Vantage Career Center, Van Wert Manor, R&R Employment & Medical Staffing and Wassenberg Art Center.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Van Wert Business Expo and Taste of Van Wert County, which offers a “two-in-one” event to reach business owners, executives, employees and residents in the Van Wert area and surrounding communities.

To reserve an exhibit space or for more information about sponsorships, contact the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce at 419.238.4390 or email chamber@vanwertchamber.com. Businesses can also register online at www.vanwertchamber.com.