Time Growing Short For Vendors To Register for EXPO 2005

Many area businesses and organizations have signed up to exhibit at EXPO 2005, but organizers say there is room for more.

The annual business exposition will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, and businesses who want to participate have until Friday, Sept. 30 to register.

Exhibitors for EXPO get a booth in the Civic Center in which to display their products or to discuss their services with the approximately 1,000 visitors who tour the exhibition each year. Exhibitors have commented after previous EXPOs that the event is the best advertising they have ever received. They also said it is extremely beneficial to talk to other vendors at EXPO and share information with them and to market their services or products with other businesses.

EXPO is sponsored by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Chamber of Commerce and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center. All members of any of the chambers get a space in the Civic Center for $215. Non-chamber members may exhibit for $380.

Fees include an 8’x8’ exhibit space, draping, a skirted table with two chairs, signage and two box lunches for vendors. Electrical hook-ups in the booths are an additional $10.

EXPO is advertised in all area newspapers and on radio, direct mailings are sent to businesses in the four counties, chamber newsletters promote the event, and more than 2,000 businesses on chamber mailing lists get EXPO announcements. Exhibitors will receive a packet on key tips for marketing their businesses at EXPO.

Businesses that have not received a registration form for EXPO 2005 or who may need another copy may contact any of the sponsoring chambers for commerce or call the VGCC Small Business Center at (252) 738-3240.