Lorain County Chamber of Commerce to hold Expo

The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its fifth annual Business Expo on Nov. 1.

The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its fifth annual Business Expo on Nov. 1.

The business-to-business expo is the largest of its kind on the west side of Cleveland, said Chamber president Tony Gallo.

“It is meant to bring businesses together to showcase what other businesses can buy and keep local as much as possible,” Gallo said. “We are officially, as of today, sold out with 110 booths.”

As part of this year’s Business Expo, the Chamber will showcase 10 locally-based entrepreneurs who have started “brand new” businesses, he said.

“We’re doing that in conjunction with JumpStart, out of Cleveland, as well as the Lorain County Urban League, El Centro and the Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community College,” Gallo said. “These are brand new businesses.”

Gallo didn’t name the businesses because they haven’t been decided yet.

“I think they’re still kind of working through the list to see who actually has the ability to come and be ready to promote their businesses,” he said.

The booths will be taken up by a little bit of everything the county has to offer, according to Gallo, including banks, the service industry, restaurants, nursing facilities as well as nonprofit organizations.

“Anyone who is wellknown in Lorain County business-wise, will be there,” he said.

Attendees of previous expos also will find something worth seeing as Gallo estimates about 30 percent of the booths are being taken by businesses that have not attended in the past.

Gallo said the event is meant for business people, not for a person looking for a washing machine from an appliance store.

“We want a business that maybe needs a new kitchen done in their employee business,” he said. “This is business-to-business: how can businesses strive to work with the other businesses that are located in Lorain County?”

Gallo said the Chamber has noticed that Lorain County businesses often buy products online or from Cleveland because they don’t realize what they’re looking for is available from a local company.

“So, this is a great way for people to showcase their business and say ‘We are located here, please spend your dollars here,’” he said. “Let’s keep these dollars here as much as possible.”

The Expo is 3-7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Tom’s Country Place, 3442 Stoney Ridge Road in Avon. Admission is free.

“What we like to tell people is, If you have a business card, you’re more than welcome to attend,” Gallo said.