Eileen Fredericks didn't expect to be grabbing floating money in a cash box when she decided to attend the Northwest Arkansas Business Showplace last week. She was really there to collect the free goodies. Before they called her name for the First Western Bank Cash Grab, she may have been typical of the estimated 1, 200 people who passed through the John Q. Hammons Center last Thursday.
The sixth annual business event was a success, according to Dana Mather, the vice president for community development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.
The showcase has evolved over its six-year history, Mather said. At first, it was designed as an opportunity for business people to network with each other, but the exhibitors liked meeting the public, too. This year there was more of an effort to include the general public.
"We want the public to come in and find places to do business in our area, so people who attended met new vendors they can use at work and at home. Maybe they found some new products and services they didn't know existed," she said.
Justin Lewis, the area distributor for Rainbow Vacuum Cleaners, was busy collecting leads. People who entered the contest at his booth will receive a phone call with an offer for a nice free gift if they allow him to demonstrate his product in their home. His strategy worked well last year, he said.
Lisa Chambers was there to Apartment Hunters just opened in Bentonville and it's a new concept for this area. She'll do all the leg work and find people a new place to rent. It's a free service for her clients, since the apartment owners pay the fee.
Northwest Arkansas Chiropractic offered a full work up for only $ 20 as well as an on the spot posture analysis to people who stopped at the booth.
"Some people don't want their posture checked because they think it will be bad news," assistant Sherri Rogers said. "Other people get real excited."
For Jarett Lauber it was all about name recognition. His business, New Horizons Computer Learning Center, has been in the area for five years, but isn't well known. Events like the showcase help get the name out there, he said.
Leslie Kester believes her food will sell itself. She likes doing events like the showcase so she can hand out samples to advertise her catering business, Leslie's Catering. She was also part of the Taste of Northwest Arkansas along with 12 other restaurants and catering services. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p. m., a $ 5 admission charge gave people the chance to taste the specialties from 13 restaurants and catering services.
Several nonprofits were on hand as well. Jan Skopecek of Rebuilding Together met potential sponsors and volunteers. Rebuilding Together does needed renovations for low income property owners. Skopecek said she wanted to talk to large employers about the team building opportunities that she can supply, but she was surprised to also meet a few potential clients.
Like other exhibitors, Skopecek was really just looking for a chance to connect.
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