Chamber gears up for 16th annual Business and Technology Expo

What: 2007 Business & Technology Expo, presented by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

When: 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Oct. 4

Where: Springfield Exposition Center, 635 St. Louis St.

Tickets: $7 at the door or free from any event exhibitors, which are listed at www.springfieldchamber.com/expo

Click here for an exhibitor map and vendor list.

It’s time again for one of my favorite events: the chamber’s Business & Technology Expo.

Billed by chamber officials as an event that showcases the latest technology, services and products to help businesses stay competitive, the expo will bring together more than 200 vendors and an anticipated 6,000 visitors.

While there’s no doubt that manning the booth at the expo is, indeed, work, it’s a fun experience that’s well worth the time invested.

I’ve attended the expo, and helped with Springfield Business Journal’s booth for several years, and in that time, I’ve developed what I like to call my “trade-show technique.” I’m not saying it would work for everyone, but it works for me. (Local experts offer tips for working a trade show here.)

I like to go in, stop at our booth and get my bearings. By that, I mean that I’ll greet visitors to our booth, poll them on what they like best about the expo so far, and get a good look at other exhibits.

Because there are so many, I’ve found that simply walking the aisles can take up too much time. I’m more apt to go first to the booths that wow me, either by sight, sound or the recommendation of other attendees.

I admit that I’m a bit different from most attendees, in that I’m not looking to buy anything as much as I’m looking for new contacts for my Rolodex. In this business, it’s important to avoid talking to the same people all the time, and I’ve found that the expo is a great way to meet some really interesting people. Some of them are leaders of their companies, while others are behind the scenes, and I might never have met them had they not worked the trade show booth. The neat thing is that everybody has a story to tell, and while many of them won’t make it into SBJ, I can cultivate contacts for stories that may pop up on my radar later.

Did I mention the freebies? Vendors pull out all the stops to reach new and potential customers at the expo, and when a company has a neat giveaway – or even some tasty treats – the word spreads. I’ve often referred to the expo as “Halloween for grown-ups,” and that’s exactly what it is. Pens, pencils, flashlights, all kinds of neat things are available to those who choose to take them. (According to local promotional products folks, there are some high-tech products available in the marketplace, too. See story here.).

While those freebies are a fun part of the expo, it’s the people you meet who will stay on your mind – and your contacts list – for years to come. And trust me, no matter what business you’re in, they’re worth it.

Expo Seminars & Special Events

Oct. 4 will be a busy day for attendees of the 2007 Business & Technology Expo. Beyond the opportunity to network with more than 200 vendors, several activities are planned throughout the day. Event registration is available at www.springfieldchamber.com. Seminars will be held upstairs from the main showroom floor at the Expo Center. All booths are required to stay up until the expo ends at 7 p.m.

7:30–8:30 a.m. – Good Morning, Springfield! will be held at Jordan Valley Ice Park to kick off the show. Tickets are $13; registration is available online.

9:30–10:20 a.m. – A seminar, “Managing Toward Your Financial Freedom Day,” will be presented by U.S. Bank Senior Vice President James B. Johnson and Jami Peebles, vice president/wealth management of U.S. Bank’s Private Client Group.

10:30–11:20 a.m. – A seminar, “Employee Theft 101 – Who, Why and How?,” will be presented by Larry D. Ellison, CPA with Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller.

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Keynote speaker Sharon Snow, owner of the Springfield Express Personnel franchise, will present a seminar, “The Wizard of Management.” She will talk about coaching employees to action, improving team performance, inspiring employees to reach their potential and enhancing management skills.

1:30–2:20 p.m. – A seminar, “Hiring Practices and Avoiding Workplace Liability,” will be presented by Daniel Wooten, partner with law firm Neale & Newman.

2:30–3:20 p.m. – A seminar, “If I Could Only Get Them To Do What I Want,” will be presented by Laura Ward, director of Webster University’s Ozarks campus

5–7 p.m. Expo After Hours will be held on the showroom floor. Tickets to this social networking event are $5; admission is free with a Business After Hours annual pass or a Business & Technology Expo ticket. [[In-content Ad]]