Food, prizes and fun
Community members connect at Business Expo
Many local businesses and community members gathered Thursday evening at the Porterville Fairgrounds to learn from each other and make new connections at Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo.
As people walked into the expo they had the chance to pick up a passport for the opportunity to win one of the two fabulous two-night hotel stays, one at the King George Hotel in San Francisco and the other at the Renaissance Club Sport in Walnut Creek. Those who participated had to take their passport to every booth and get it signed by one of the people staffing the booth.
This year’s Business Expo offered a little bit of everything. Of the 50 businesses participating in the event, many were giving out food, while others were giving out information on their products and services. Even educational institutions like Porterville College, San Joaquin Valley College and Fresno Pacific University had booths.
Businesses like Porterville Sheltered Workshop, Setton Farms, Hergesheimer’s Donuts, Anderson and Bear Associates LLC., Rosa’s Italian Off The Vine Catering, Porterville College and Spoons were all in attendance at the
expo..
Erica Lopez has lived in Porterville for more than 13 years and had never attended the annual business expo.
“I have lived here most of my life and it’s my first time coming,” said Lopez as she waited in line to get some of the delicious food the Black Bear Dinner was giving away at their booth. “I just got out of work hungry and rushed to the expo and thankfully there is food here.”
Lopez is part of the Porterville Head Start Home-based Program, and was also making sure to leave her own business cards at every booth.
It was Celeste Calderon’s first time attending the Business Expo as well, and she decided to attend to learn more about the local businesses in town since she just moved here from Arizona.
“I’ve been walking around talking to local business owners like Stafford’s Chocolates, Calico Mermaid Quilt Fabric Shop, and some banks like Bank of the Sierra and Beneficial State Bank,” said Calderon. “It’s really neat getting to mingle and ask questions while getting the opportunity to win some prizes.”
Calderon sparked special interest among some of the banking booths at the expo. She said she has been looking for a job, and it has definitely helped her to get to talk to personnel from local bank branches.
“Porterville is a small town, but it’s nice to see that many local businesses support each other,” added Calderon. “I’m glad this expo exists, I got a lot of necessary information.”
At the expo there were various opportunities to walk away with a handful of goodies given at the booths. The day ended with the announcement of the two winners of the grand prizes.
First prize winner for a 2-night stay at King George Hotel in San Francisco was Michelle Robertson, and the second prize winner for a two night stay at the Renaissance Club Sport Hotel in Walnut Creek was Cliff Witt.
Those who attended also got the chance to win baskets full of goodies from local businesses. Each booth had a bowl where those who visited were able to drop off their business cards, with the purpose of being selected to win a basket.
For more information regarding future events, contact the Porterville Chamber of Commerce at 559-784-7502 or info@ portervillechamber.org.