[StBernard] St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce scheduled to hold business expo Saturday

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce scheduled to hold business expo Saturday

Published: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 2:49 PM     Updated: Thursday, June 21,
2012, 3:09 PM

 By Kate Mabry, The Times-Picayune 

More than 60 local vendors will showcase their businesses on June 23 from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. during the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce's third annual
Business and Trade Expo Show. The event, which is free, is open to the
public and will be held in the ballroom of the Frederick J. Sigur Civic
Center, located at 8245 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.

Chamber CEO Stephen Reuther said the expo will allow businesses to promote
their services to new customers as well as establish business networking
among businesses in the parish. Last year, the expo received about 600
visitors, but Reuther said he hopes this year's expo will draw 1,000
visitors.

Reuther said the expo is significant to the community because it brings
attention to local retailers as well as businesses that are not always able
to promote with the Chamber. "We truly developed this event to offer an
opportunity to the small retailers and vendors in our community who may not
be able to attend luncheons or other functions with the Chamber because they
are out in the community running their business," Reuther said earlier this
month. "This expo speaks to those small business owners and will allow them
an opportunity to expand their client base, while allowing our community a
chance to see several local retailers highlighted at once."

Reuther also said the expo is a "great statement for the community." "It
shows that we're vibrant and healthy, and St. Bernard is growing," he said.
"There will be a live band, food, door prizes and demonstrations. It's a
great opportunity to do something fun with the family and have a nice
Saturday afternoon."

Sponsors for the event include Clements Insurance Services, Rain Cii Carbon,
Prime Occupational Medicine, Peoples Health, Associated Terminals, Chalmette
Refining, Regions Bank and Entergy, and local businesses participating in
the event include the Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., Ditto's Printing & Copy
Center, Todd's Technology Solutions, Smoothie King, Nunez Community College,
St. Bernard Parish Hospital and Par 3 Restaurant & Lounge.

In addition to sponsors and local businesses, a number of community
organizations from Red Cross to the Arc of Greater New Orleans and the St.
Bernard Parish School Board also will be present at the event.

Reuther said the Chamber will not be able to accommodate any addition
applications by exhibitors.

"We sold out pretty early in the process, but we're looking into expanding
next year," Reuther said.

Reuther said about 95 percent of exhibitors will receive a
10-foot-by-10-foot booth with an eight-foot table and two chairs, but
additional local vendors, including representatives from the St. Bernard
Seafood and Farmers Market, will be located outside the center in a tourism
tent.

Any questions or concerns may be sent via e-mail to
director at stbernardchamber.org or by calling 504.277.4001.

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