www.mybaycity.com May 7, 2011
Business Article 5885
Sponsored by Bay Area Chamber of Commerce


Dominos Pizza Team serves up hot pizza, pictured with a matching group of ladies from Augres, Michigan

2011 Great Lakes Bay Regional Expo

May 7, 2011
By: Julie McCallum,
Senior Staff


It was a cool crisp morning on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for The 15th Annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Expo held at Saginaw Valley State University Ryder Center.

The GLBR Expo is coordinated by the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce, this is one of Michigan's largest business to business events.

As I started the morning on my way to SVSU's Ryder Center, all I could think of was Coffee. On my way through the booth to booth, what a coincidence, first booth I found myself stopped at was Happy Roasting Coffee Company. Chatted with Mike Woodley and Justin Rudiger as they gave me a sample of their brewed coffee. (Thank you)

After I made a stop at our booth, Mid Michigan Computer Consultants collaborated with Last Choice Country Internet Radio this Year.

Next stop was the Tim Horton's Exhibitors Lounge, sponsored by Charter Business. What great timing as Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President, Mike Seward sat down with me as I enjoyed my Tim Horton's muffin and coffee. Mike sampled the breakfast wrap suggested to him by Charles Little from Tim Horton's. It was a great start to a great business networking event. We were soon joined by John Schneider of Executive Mortgage. It was a nice visit and break before the busy day ahead.

Then off to an appointment with Jenna Alisoglu from Shapers Salon & Day Spa who donated their services of hair styling and make-up including eyelashes for the models participating in the day's Fashion Show. Thanks to Shapers for the wonderful job they did!

Eleven O'Clock Luncheon at Curtiss Hall sponsored by Covenant HealthCare. Special guest speaker, William Taylor, best selling author and distinguished entrepreneur presented, "A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Leading Through a Downturn."

GLBR Expo ran from 1 to 5:30pm. Booths at GLBR Expo provided businesses with the opportunity to make new connections and reach new markets! The truth is, although technology has been a great marketing aid, face-to-face networking still proves to be invaluable and word-of-mouth still reigns as one of the best marketing tools.

According to Diane Card, Expo Show Director there were 161 exhibitors, up from last year.

Card, said, "The day went smoothly, and once again our exhibitors had great booths. Our Booth Award competition is a great motivator for our regular exhibitors to shake things up from year to year, which helps keep the expo fresh and interesting for our return and first-time visitors."

This year's booth award winners were:

  • Best of Show: St. Mary's of Michigan
  • Most Creative Booth: Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center
  • Best Interactive Booth: Covenant HealthCare
  • Most Congenial Booth: Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
  • Spectacular Regular Booth: Spence Brothers
  • Exhibitors' Choice Award: Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!


  • As part of the Expo, there was a Silent Auction that benefited the three Chambers' Foundations.

    One of the prizes a BBQ cook-out hosted by the three Chamber Presidents, Sid Allen (Midland Area Chamber), Mike Seward (Bay Area Chamber) and Bob Van Deventer (Saginaw Co. Chamber).

    Two area leaders entered into a bidding war that went right down to the wire, ending with David Bailey, Manager Financial Services with Prudential, 4760 Fashion Square Blvd., Saginaw as the winning bidder.





    According to Diane Card, Expo Show Director there were 161 exhibitors, up from last year




    Happy Roasting Company - Justin Ruediger and Michael Woodley (cardinalvalleycoffe.com) Happy is good coffee at a great price. The ultimate convergence of flavor and value delivered for free to your business




    Do-All Inc. Chris Girard, Dorothy Dean along with the cat from Cat's Meow!




    Gary Doner and John Schneider of Executive Mortgage




    Bay City Mayor Chris Shannon and Bill Lamere of Michigan Works




    Michigan Works was giving away Ice Cream. They set up in their own ice cream shop. They won both the Exhibitors' Choice Award and Most Congenial Booth.




    Rebecca Kaiser and Dani Klida from the Bay Area Family Y




    Charles Little of Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons Hosted the Exhibitor Lounge sponsored by Charter Business




    Larry Simms and Bay City Area Chamber of Commerce President, Micheal Seward




    William Taylor, best selling author and distinguished entrepreneur presented, "A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Leading Through a Downturn" at the Expo Luncheon



    Luncheon was held at Curtiss Hall and sponsored by Covenant HealthCare




    Cathy Koebke, Director of Sales & Marketing of Bay Area Chamber and also Director of The Expo's Fashion Show




    (Above L/R) Jeff Pinwar, Charter Business, George Lynch and Mike McTagggart of Charter Media




    Hammer Restoration




    Exhibition Services, Inc. Pictured, Robert Campbell. Exhibition Services provided all the booth equipment such as the Pipe & Drape, skirted tables, booth carpet, chairs, & the isle carpet for the expo.




    Shapers Salon and Day Spa is located at 685 North Center, Saginaw, MI 48638 (793-3771)




    Zumba with the YMCA on the entertainment stage




    A Fashion Show on the entertainment stage was held at 2:00 and 4:00 features styles from Calla Lilies, Cat's Meow, Emilie B's Little Forks Outfitters, Riverwalk Thread and Wal-Mart




    Paul Davis Restoration



    Mid-Michigan Computer Consultants/OJ Advertising/MyBayCity.com and Last Choice Country Internet Radio




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