Published: May 02, 2007 09:00 pm      

Chamber business show opens; public invited today

Basile Summers expected a crowd Wednesday evening, but not the packed house he discovered for the 14th annual Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce Business Show.

“I thought I would see a hundred cars when I came into the parking lot — I couldn’t find a place to park,” the Realtor for ERA Advantage Realty said. “It’s awesome, awesome. It gets bigger and better each year.”

More than 75 exhibitors welcomed chamber members at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center as the business show kicked off with its “Ultimate Networking Opportunity” Business After Hours event, sponsored by WOAY-TV. Participants were given the opportunity to see what other businesses will offer at the show, play games and socialize.

The chamber’s show is open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. today.

The event is free. Educational institutions, health care providers, media outlets, attorneys and almost every other business or organization in between packed the convention center floor.

The show is sponsored by The Register-Herald, Chase, WOAY-TV and Mountain State University.

Ellen Taylor, chamber director, said the event not only provides business people a chance to network, it also gives the public a chance to see what type of goods and services are available — making informed decisions before buying. The show also gives the public a chance to meet the local business representatives.

“We all buy products,” she said. “Whether we are business people or members of the general public, we all buy products.

“You’re more inclined to do business with someone you know. There may be products of which the general public is not aware.”

As people continually walked down the convention center’s steps, Taylor was impressed with the turnout.

“It’s been pretty peppy so far,” she said. “The booths look super, and we are going to have fun tonight.”

- - -

Exhibitors were dressed in suits and ties — and 1970s velour disco suits, western wear, pirate gear and 1950s sock hop outfits complete with roller skates.

Bodyworks Health, Fitness and Rehabilitation employees donned large floppy hats and velour leisure suits at their loud, sparkling, disco-style booth.

“It takes you back to the ’70s,” said Tammy Mann, facilities and projects director. “People used to dance, and people have gotten away from that. Now they’re going back to dancing. It’s great exercise. If your children are doing it, you need to do it.”

Foley Orthodontics was just around the corner from Bodyworks, and going to their booth allowed one to go back in time 20 years. At a 1950s diner-styled exhibit, employees were dressed in sock hop wear, complete with roller skates, to promote the business’ “Smiles Made Beautiful” campaign.

“It’s a little ironic,” Christy Lilly, a scheduling coordinator, mused about the two time warp booths being adjacent. “Maybe we should have the ’80s on the other side, or the ’60s.”

While seated by a large stuffed version of his company’s trademark duck, Jørn Earl Otte, district coordinator for Aflac in Beckley, said the chamber’s show is a great venue for both large and small businesses to network with each other and the public.

“It’s a nice venue to let people know who I am and what Aflac does,” he said. “It’s a great fellowship between business owners. Whether you are new in town or established in town, it can help every business. From small business to big business, it’s fantastic.”

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com