Showcase expo to highlight Sylvania's business diversity

2/6/2008

Specialty foods, student-produced artwork, and 150 booths that reflect the area's private and professional business diversity will be on tap during the Showcase Sylvania Business Expo.

Sponsored by the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce, the expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 in the Sylvania Sports & Exhibition Center at Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave.

A new attraction this year will be the Sylvania Community Arts Commission Student ArtFest 2008 which will be held at the Sylvania Senior Center in partnership with the expo. ArtFest 2008 will feature artwork of Sylvania area students from the elementary grades through high school.

The expo's 150 booths will include interactive displays of area businesses that will showcase local products and services.

The chamber of commerce bills the expo as an educational tool as well.

Local residents can learn about the variety of retail businesses, organizations, and service-oriented companies located in their neighborhood.

"Showcase Sylvania is a dynamic event that allows local businesses to show off their products and services to the community. For many businesses this is a unique opportunity to connect with the public and other businesses that results in extending their marketing dollar and makes prudent use of their connectivity," said Pat Nowak, executive director of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce.

Again this year the expo's activities will include an energy fair area where businesses and consumers will have the opportunity to learn what is new in energy efficiency.

Products and services that reduce utility costs and offer low-cost energy alternatives will be highlighted.

The expo also will feature a Taste of Sylvania area where local supermarkets, specialty-food stores, and coffee shops will serve up fresh ideas for entertaining as well as for healthy meals.

Entertainment and activities tailored for youngsters will play a part in the expo as well.

A children's area sponsored by the YMCA/JCC will be set up, and the entertainment will feature performances by students from local schools and music and dance academies.

Businesses will offer "loads of giveaways," according to the chamber of commerce.

"Last year almost 4,000 people from northwest Ohio attended and this year with the addition of the Sylvania Community Arts Commission ArtFest 2008 we hope for about 5,000," Ms. Nowak said.

During a preview party for Showcase Sylvania, the chamber will announce its Chamber Champion.

The preview party is set for April 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 4.

Several nominees from the business and nonprofit sector will be honored for their business acumen and philanthropy.

The award that will be presented is a one-of-a-kind art piece designed specifically for the chamber.

Showcase Sylvania Expo chairmen are Hunt Sears and Jeff Langenderfer.

For more information, contact the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce.

To obtain a Showcase Sylvania Expo application, visit the chamber's Web site at www.sylvaniachamber.org.

The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce produces Showcase Sylvania Expo in cooperation with Central Park West Event Facility, Metamora State Bank, The Blade, Flower Hospital, Lourdes College, and Tam-O-Shanter.

The Chamber Champion sponsors include the Herald Newspapers, Flower Hospital, and Huntington Bank.