By Rebekah Binger
Park Ridge, NJ—Business was booming at the Rockland Business Association's 2007 Bridging Boarders EXPO. With more than 100 exhibitors and an estimated 1,800 attendees, the Marriott Park Ridge made for the perfect backdrop for business people networking and showcasing their services.
"It was the best EXPO yet. The formula works. We kick-off with a great Brunch and end with a huge Cocktail Party and Dine-A-Round," said RBA President/CEO Al Samuels. "My reaction is a reflection of comments made by exhibitors and attendees."
One such exhibitor, RBA member Dave & Busters of West Nyack, NY said they saw a lot of traffic and made several business contacts. "Everyone that walks by here, says that this is the best booth because people already know and love us," said Marie Marseille, cocktail department head.
Members of the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, who shared the event with the RBA, were out in full force. "It's been wonderful for us," said Mahwah's Executive Director Sharon Rounds. "Our membership was thrilled about it because they felt it brought in professional people." Mahwah member booths increased from 14 at last year's EXPO to 33 this year.
The booth shared by sister companies Estate on Florentine Gardens and In Thyme Catered Events was very busy, with attendees utilizing their chocolate fondue machine. "It's been the perfect introduction to meet almost everyone here," said Denise Downing, event consultant for the Gardens, in Riverdale, NJ.
Doris Sutich complimented the companies while enjoying some fondue. "My child's friend had a 15th birthday party there and had a great time. It was upscale and they had good food," said Sutich, a member of the Montvale Chamber of Commerce and Executive Vice President of Perfect Limo Service, Inc.
Presenting sponsor Provident Bank used their booth to display what they call "the future in banking," a fast, remote, electronic, deposit machine—or simply F.R.E.D. The machine allows businesses to do all of their deposits without stepping outside of the office.
"It helps cash flow and improves efficiency," said Juliana Rhiefield, Assistant Vice President of Business Development at the bank. She said more than 100 of these machines are already out in businesses across the county and surrounding areas.
RBA member and EXPO veteran Orange & Rockland also used their booth to show off new products. Rick Struck showed compact fluorescent light bulbs, demonstrating them as a means of energy usage reduction. "People who haven't seen the bulb before and tried it were very impressed," Struck said. He underscored the importance of energy conservation saying that with demand on the increase and supply decreased, the local system is stressed.
Several other exhibitors also focused on conserving energy and made up the EXPO's first Green Aisle. "Before people made changes because they wanted to. Now people make changes because they need to," said Steve Davis Program Manager at Clean Air New York. Davis shared a booth with Green Aisle Sponsor Metro Pool.
Metro Pool Regional Manager Carol Ryan credits increased concern with global warming with helping to raise business owners' awareness of environmental conservation. "Now we're emphasizing it because people listen," Ryan said.
Roughly 300 people attended the Cocktail Party and Dine-A-Round following the main exposition. Local eateries presented their best dishes as attendees and exhibitors continued to connect and wind down. "This is a great idea because exhibitors don't get a chance to get around during the show," said Larry Feld director of marketing at CPA firm Hunter Group located in Fairlawn, NJ. "It's rejuvenating."
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