LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo
Where: Morrow Building (155 Lansdowne St. W., beside the Memorial Centre)
How much: Free
The annual event, organized and hosted by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce to celebrate local businesses and services, will showcase more than 110 businesses and organizations.
With apologies to singer Ethel Merman, the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is here to proclaim there’s no business like … local business.
Once again, the chamber is backing up that proclamation with action by hosting the LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo on Wednesday, September 7, from noon to 7 p.m., at the Morrow Building (155 Lansdowne St. W., adjacent to the Peterborough Memorial Centre).
Both admission and parking are free. This year’s show is sponsored by Signarama, which provides custom signs for business. kawarthaNOW.com is serving as a media sponsor.
With more than 110 businesses and organizations having already booked space, the show — according to its principal organizer Paul Teleki, the chamber’s membership services co-ordinator — provides the opportunity for visitors to “connect, experience and discover their local business community.”
The LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo, notes Teleki, has evolved from the former Prosperity Trade Show, with the aim continuing to be showcasing and celebrating local businesses’ successes.
“Everyone loves the idea of supporting local,” Teleki says. “That’s the biggest thing we hear from the vendors and the businesses that are part of the show. Not only because of their desire to support local businesses, but also to be a part of this movement in Peterborough where we celebrate our local assets and expertise.”
At the heart of the LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo is the setting up of zones as part of the floor plan, as Teleki explains.
“We have the Innovation Zone with the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster. We have the Start and Grow Zone with Peterborough Economic Development. We have the Green Business Zone with Peterborough Distribution Inc. And we have the Holistic Zone with the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine.”
“These areas create a kind of destination experience for people who come to the event, but these groups also help our entrepreneurial community succeed by giving them support.”
As an example, Teleki uses the Peterborough Chamber Holistic Group, which represents local health and wellness practitioners, coaches and support services, and other business related to the body, mind, and spirit.
“The group is growing and members are very supportive of each other. We have a lot of great innovative ideas coming out of our holistic community, so it all ties nicely together at this event by supporting businesses who visit the show as well as businesses that participate.”
Another key component of the show, notes Teleki, is the networking café, “a fairly open space” where both visitors and show participants can network, as well as sample and purchase products being featured.
“Based on previous events, participating businesses use the café as a place to set up at a table and perhaps talk a little bit more in-depth.”
Not only does the event showcase local businesses to the public, but it also facilitates connections — and possibly new business opportunities — between local businesses.
“With the zones, all the different types of businesses, the networking café, and the space that we’ve provided in the Morrow Building, it’s just a great networking opportunity in general,” Teleki says.
He’s certain that participating businesses come away all the better for the experience.
“Every time a connection is catalyzed or somebody has a discussion, there’s an opportunity to take that interaction to the next level.”
“Ultimately, it’s our job as the show organizer to get people to the event and to give people the opportunity to meet new people or reconnect with old colleagues. But at the end of the day, it is the businesses’ responsibility to take that spark and light a fire.”
The chamber’s role, adds Teleki, goes beyond simply facilitating the event.
“As we lead up to the show, we provide the vendors with some best practices on how to engage,” he explains.
“I’m working one-on-one with some businesses in town to figure out how to get the most out of the show. We’re also going to be supporting the show by leveraging our social media. We have an event page on Facebook; we have the hashtag LoveLocalExpo. Through these different mediums, we can continue the momentum, even after the show has taken place. We will also be following up with our vendors to get feedback.”
“Based on last year’s experience, we’re already taking things to the next level. It’s a progression. We’re growing together as a community and the LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo is just another piece of that momentum.”
In addition to learning about successful local business ventures, show visitors will also have the opportunity to win prizes — including a laptop computer from MicroAge.
For more on the LoveLocalPtbo Business Expo, visit the Chamber’s website at www.peterboroughchamber.ca or the event page on Facebook. If you’re a business and want to exhibit, contact Paul Teleki at paul@peterboroughchamber.ca or 705-748-9771 ext. 206.
All photos courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
