Mike Humphreys, Gwyn Starr, Stephanie Fenoglio and Greg Harrant "Make the pitch" tossing out exercise balls

---

Mid-Michigan Shows Its Stuff

Regional Business Expo Features 190 Exhibitors

May 5, 2005
By: Stephen Kent

Mid-Michigan showed off its best as some 190 businesses and organizations gathered at SVSU's Ryder Center for the annual Mid-Michigan Regional Business Expo. " 190 exhibitors is up from 174 last year" said show manager Diane Card. "We estimated about 2,900 visitors, which is very good for a show of this size and duration."

The Expo is put on the the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce as an effective way to promote business in the region. This year's expo was considered by many exhibitors to be the "best ever".

A new feature this year was the "Ten-Minute Pitch". Vendors paid $10 for a ten-minute appointment with a purchasing agent from larger businesses and corporations from the area. "We had 19 large businesses participate" said Card. "We received positive comments from both sides, the purchasing agents and the people that were making a '10-Minute pitch'. Our goal was to offer another effective way to promote business within out region, and it got off to a good start!"

Purchasing Agents Included Local cities Local counties SVSU Spence Brothers Covenant Health Care Delta College GM Powertrain Midland Cogeneration Venture Midland County ESA Mobile Medical Response Northwood University SSP Associates Bay Areanac Skill Center Zehnders of Frankenmuth

MMRBE provides a place to beseen and meet prospects, but it is also a place to see what's new and to get an idea of business trends. New technology was shown in a number of areas including video production and wireless internet access. Businesses have the opportunity to size up their competition or perhaps learn that they are the only player in their field. As much business may be done between exhibitors as with visitors. All visitors and exhibitors were thankful for the food and drink available on the floor. Prudential Financial was passing out popcorn, St. Laurent's had nuts and candy, Country Grains Bakery spread out many goodies, American Amusements & Vending provided soft drinks for all commers. A favorite of everyone was hot chocolate chip cookies baked on site by Covenant Health Care.

%ad%

Food was not the only draw. Besides many "gimmes", Hammer Restoration was cleaning jewelry, there were back and neck massages, a casino with poker table, and even shoeshines.

For those who wanted to give rather than receive, the Mid-Michigan Community Blood Centers brought their mobile blood lab into the Ryder Center to collect blood donations. Half way through the afternoon the blood center had signed up 40 prospective donors, according to Carole Wackerly.

Awards were given for the best booth:

Best of Show: Charter Communications

Most Interactive: Midland Community Center / Midland tennis Center

Most Creative: Covenant Health Care

Most Congenial: North Country Grains & Marketplace

Ray Ogden of Michigan Works got his exercise ringingthe bell all day long!	John and Kristine Sklba from Michigan Truck Sales hauled in the "big iron" for the show.
Mike Grekowicz of Prudential Financial serves up the popcorn	Jen Patton tells a customer about Duro-Last Roofing
Warm chocolate chip cookies kept folks coming by the Covenant Health Care booth	Laura Castillo and Tom Carr of Crumbs Gourmet Cookie Cafe show off their goodies!
Samantha Cummin gets the required cookie and juice after donating blood at the Michigan Community Blood Centers mobile lab.	The Roaring 20's returned at the MGM Hotel and Casino booth
Sandy Peariso of Hammer Restoration, Inc. cleans a necklace for a visitor.	Massage Therapist Ann Marie Voorhels relaxes Bay City's Mike Buda