ARCC: Annual Business Expo

Picture this scenario as a small business owner:

You’re in a large room, filled with hundreds of members of your own local business community, and many of them are looking for the exact services you provide. Does that sound too good to be true? Fortunately, it’s 100% real and it’s coming to Glens Falls in November.

For those who haven’t heard yet, we’re talking about the ARCC’s annual Business Expo on Wednesday, November 8th.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) helps entrepreneurs, small business owners and community members work together to improve life in the Adirondack region. The ARCC has been working on behalf of local businesses for over 100 years, and the Business Expo is just one of the many tools in their toolbox. The Expo solves a problem that many small business owners and entrepreneurs face: finding a connection to the community. That is where

the ARCC truly excels, in facilitating those critical relationships between business owners that in turn help to drive the local economy.

The ARCC Business Expo is a perfect opportunity to explore what the regional business community has to offer. Ambassadors from the ARCC will be on hand with a kind smile and easy introduction as you work your way around the event. Their ease and friendliness helps to set the tone for the day, and it again illustrates one of their core objectives of building meaningful connections.

The Business Expo allows the ARCC community to showcase their products and services and give potential customers first-hand experiences as well. Whether participants rent a booth or simply “work the room” as an attendee, the comfortable atmosphere allows customers to seek information and ask more detailed questions. It’s also an opportunity to put a face behind a business, which is an advantage for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) operations. From previous Expos, attendees have consistently reported finding significant value from the event.

This will be the second Expo under the leadership of Tricia Rogers, President and CEO of the ARCC, who took over the role in August of 2022. She and her dedicated team are expecting an even larger turnout than last year. Currently, the ARCC is experiencing a boom in membership with over 700 members and counting. They will be setting up between 80-90 booths which is an increase from just over 70 booths last year. “The ARCC Business Expo is a favorite event of our members and business community,” Rogers said. “We really look forward to this event. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our businesses.”

Rogers always takes the time to thank and show her appreciation for the ARCC staff and volunteers. She began with the ARCC as a volunteer ambassador herself, and in 2016 took on the role of Membership Manager. In early 2022, she was promoted to Vice President, Membership & Community Engagement. Later that year, she was named to her current title of President and CEO. “I feel so lucky to lead the organization in a community that I am passionate about,” said Rogers. “I love this community and really want to make a difference. It helps that I work with a great team.”

Community building is often on the mind of Marketing Director Amanda Blanton, who reiterated the importance of networking at an ARCC “Chamber 101” meeting in early September. “You will always find a person who is not familiar with your business, even if you have been in business for 50 years,” explained Blanton. Business Expos are traditionally great opportunities to network with other professionals in the same or related fields, gain exposure to new ideas, and potentially learn new skills.

For Membership Manager Ava Kanninen, this is her first Expo with the ARCC. She can already attest to the excitement. “Regular attendees have told me that they love how open and welcoming the expo is. Some of that is because we don’t use the tall pipe-and-drape booths, so we have a warm and neighborly atmosphere. I also think that the level of engagement that our partners bring to all of our events is a special thing to be a part of, and I know the members are excited because the event keeps growing every year,” she said via email.

The chamber’s recommendation for attending expos, tradeshows and conventions is to make a full circuit first, then come back and see whom you’d like to connect with. And, of course, bring plenty of business cards.

The ARCC Business Expo will be held at The Queensbury Hotel (88 Ridge St, Glens Falls), on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, from 4pm-7pm. For attendees, the event is free of charge. There is, however, a fee for exhibitors; ARCC members who would like to exhibit must register on-line.

There are early bird deals available as well as a variety of table options to fit every business’ needs. If you can’t make the Expo or would like a more informal setting for networking, there will be a post-Expo networking opportunity at Fenimore’s Pub.

For more information, please visit the ARCC website at AdirondackChamber.org