Fallsnewspress.com - Chamber expo is 'family-friendly'

by Phil Keren

Editor

Cuyahoga Falls -- The start of the spring season also marks the return of an annual "family-friendly" event for businesses, non-profits, community groups and residents.

The Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Cuyahoga Falls and the Natatorium, will present the Community Expo March 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the community room of the Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is taking place in the Natatorium for the sixth consecutive year in March. It is also the sixth straight year that the event is being presented in a format designed to appeal to the general public.

Before recasting the event as a Community Expo, Laura Petrella, CEO of the chamber, said the previous version "was strictly a business to business expo" and took place at the Sheraton Suites.

"There was such a need and a demand for a 'community expo' that we changed this to a Community Expo," said Petrella. "This is what the residents said they wanted per surveys we did."

An assortment of businesses, as well as some non-profits, government agencies and community groups will provide information about their products and services at the display tables set up in the Natatorium. Some groups will offer activities for children as well.

Petrella said 54 exhibitors had signed up as of press time March 18, and noted that 70 is the maximum allowed at the event. Any group who is interested in having a display at the expo should call the chamber at 330-929-6756.

More than 2,000 people attended the 2009 event, which featured 70 organizations displaying the products and services they offer, said Petrella.

Rebecca Davey, one of the co-chairs of the expo committee, said she is hoping at least 3,000 people attend the 2010 event. "I'm hoping for some really good weather," said Davey, who added that she felt nice weather would help increase attendance.

The expo will be one hour shorter this year; the event will end at 3 p.m. instead of 4. Petrella said the chamber decided to shorten the event because "the crowd seems to come earlier in the day," and noted that attendance tends to drop off during the afternoon.

Davey said the event gives the general public a chance to talk with local business officials and community leaders. The expo gives attendees a chance to "see our community work together, businesses and residents," said Davey.

Davey said her 8-year-old son enjoyed attending the expo two years ago and added her mother found a massage therapist through a previous expo.

"I have volunteered to help at this event for the past three years because I believe in the event," said Dr. Kelly Gallagher, the other co-chair of the expo committee. "It is great for the community to see what local businesses have to offer and it is great exposure for the businesses."

"I love that our Community Expo brings our community together for the day in such a positive manner," said Petrella. "This is a free family-friendly event that welcomes everyone in the community."

Gallagher, who is the clinic director of Advanced Chiropractic and Wellness Center, added, "It's fun to meet new people and introduce them to chiropractic care. I enjoy watching the kids meet the clowns and get their face painted. And I am glad to see their parents find local business people that can help them with things that they need."

Information on fliers announcing the expo contains the sentence: "No solicitation of any type permitted from attendees."

"Unless you are a paid exhibitor ... you are not able to come to the event and pass out your own information to other attendees or exhibitors whether it is personal, political or business related," said Petrella.

Petrella said the event presents a chance for people to see the Natatorium and added that the city's fitness center will have its own table and offer a door prize at the expo.

It looks like the event will continue to take place at the Natatorium, at least in the near future.

"We could definitely grow the expo in the future," said Petrella. "But we have such a great venue with the Natatorium because there is a natural built-in traffic flow of residents who are there to work out and naturally, want to stop by and check out the expo."

E-mail: pkeren@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3940