Chamber Prepares Exhibitors for Showcase 2013

In its 11th year, the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase 2013 anticipates another sell out with only two out of 60 exhibitor spots available a month out from the May 8th show.

This announcement accompanied the annual seminar the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce offers exhibitors, providing insights and strategies to make the most of the day.

“The reason for the Showcase is you,” Chamber President/CEO Bill Scarafia told a half dozen of the 60 anticipated exhibitors. Most exhibitors are returning businesses, but each year brings in some new companies, which are typically those attending the breakfast seminar.

The chamber’s Business Showcase 2013 opens at 11:30 May 8, with its closing reception wrapping up at 6 p.m. Throughout the day, a luncheon, free seminars and the closing reception will provide networking opportunities and courses open to chamber members and their employees on personnel, marketing, Internet and analytic techniques.

Exhibitors will line the corridors of the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center where the Showcase will be held again this year. Their booths will be open until 6 p.m., Mr. Scarafia emphasized.

Tables, electricity and WiFi are available for each exhibitor, but no chair.  “That’s on purpose,” Mr. Scarafia said.

Other advice included using handouts as a conversation starter to greet the people visiting the booths. Piling promotional material on the table has limited appeal or benefit, Mr. Scarafia said.

Nor was he a big proponent of giveaways, recommending that small businesses spend their limited resources on their display. “The giveaway,” he stressed, “is only a conversation starter.”

To draw potential customers, experienced Showcase exhibitors suggested raffling off the goods or services your company provides by getting business cards dropped in a bowl for a drawing at the end of the day. This gives the exhibitor a list of leads and Showcase visitors a reason to stop at their table.

Another good idea is to give candy away, suggested a veteran exhibitor. Chamber staffer Donna Lange, who administers the Showcase event, got a laugh suggesting, “Chocolate usually works pretty well.”

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