Hundreds Flock to Chamber’s Upcounty Business Expo

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce’s (GGCC) first annual “EXPOsure: The Mega Mixer”, brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs, corporate executives and business professionals to BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland.

The Chamber’s mission is “to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the interests of our membership in ways that enhance the business environment, quality of life, and well-being of our unique communities”. The Chamber believes this first-time event is a true testament of that statement.

“The Expo is really what the Chamber is all about”, said Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC president. “Businesses meeting and doing business with one another. This was our first year and it exceeded every expectation. It was really a great evening.”

“EXPOsure: The Mega Mixer”, is a brand-new event showcasing the full spectrum of Chamber member & Upcounty businesses; while creating a stronger business community. “EXPOsure” combines the fellowship and fun of a normal Business After Hours with all the buzz and excitement of a business trade show. Marked as a business development event, it was a fantastic opportunity for not only exhibitors to showcase their business to potential new customers; but for consumers to find new services, products, and more.

This event offered the business community, from small business entrepreneurs to executives, an opportunity to network with local professionals, engage with exhibitors, and discover resources for business growth.

Over three-hundred attended the showcase which featured fifty community businesses and allowed for large-scale networking, as well an opportunity for new products and services to be introduced in the Upcounty. Attendees enjoyed free admission, free networking, entertainment, dozens of exhibitors, a variety of businesses, the Say Cheese! food truck, and more.

The Chick Fil-A Germantown cow made a special guest appearance and she was a hit. “Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event,” said Kayla Smith, owner/operator, Chick Fil-A Germantown. “Our community is built on relationships and EXPOsure was a fantastic place to celebrate our friends and colleagues.”

The team from the Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg were not only sharing their Doubletree news with the community, but they were serving their famous chocolate chip cookies.

Roll by Goodyear, a company whose aim is to make shopping for & installing your tires simple, conducted an installation of tires in the BlackRock parking lot for one of their clients.

Rehab 2 Perform, an innovative physical therapy and performance training center with locations in Germantown & Frederick, were in the expo showcase and excited to spread some expansion news. They will be opening a third location in Mt. Airy in a few weeks.

Music was flowing, business cards were passed and piled high, and guests were treated to a mini “taste of”, with ice cream from Bruster’s Real Ice Cream; gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches from Say Cheese; and bites from Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Carrabba’s Italian Grill; & Caribbean Caterers.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Premier: BrightView & Savant Capital Management
Good Vibes: Quince Orchard Dental Care & Quince Orchard Dental Specialists
Venue: BlackRock Center for the Arts
Beverage: Adventist HealthCare – LifeWork Strategies Division & DrinkMore Water
Bags: Chick Fil-A Germantown
Media: Germantown Pulse & The MoCo Show
Special Event: Bargain Movers & Crown Trophy

Missed this year’s event? Check the Chamber’s website in the Fall for updates on next Spring’s EXPOsure.

About Laura Rowles

Laura authors the blog Your Success is Our Business on MyMCMedia. Laura is the Director of Events & Marketing for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce - a member-based organization of businesses that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic, commercial and industrial progress in our communities. The area's economic well-being is a result of the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. The Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area. My position at the Chamber - Director of Events & Marketing - affords me the opportunity to plan quality events for our Members and market the Chamber is a variety of avenues. At the GGCC, we typically have around 30 events each year including: breakfasts, lunches, after-five's, ribbon cuttings and special events. The consensus is we have high quality events with good energy. In 2012, we had over 2,040 people visit our events. Most our events are free to Members so securing sponsorships for all events. Additionally, I am responsible for planning networking, overseeing the budget and marketing of all events in order to make them successful. Lastly, I coordinate all marketing and communication efforts of the GGCC including weekly email blasts, its quarterly newsletter, all social media platforms, media relations and community outreach.

View all posts by Laura Rowles