Small-business expo clicks
01.04.2006, 12:40
It's considered the mega networking event for small-business people in Rochester — and this year's Small Business Show/SOHO Rochester lived up to its reputation.
At least 1,700 attendees and exhibitors — a record — swept the bazaar of booths Thursday at the Riverside Convention Center.
Monica Hanks and her daughter, Jerakah Breedlove, were giddy as they showed off the flurry of freebies and information.
"I'm so excited right now. I'm as excited as the day I filed my DBA," said Hanks, who owns an events planning business. "There're so many resources in one area."
One of the draws is that the trade show is free to attendees, and exhibitors said the $520 fee is relatively low. About 80,000 tickets were distributed through local businesses organizations or sent to small businesses. Attendance was also boosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners' local chapter, which held a special wine and cheese function at the event.
The record attendance "could have been a combination of weather or women. It could be a variety of reasons," said Steve Becker, one of the show's organizers.
The attendance was most likely driven by the region's burgeoning small business economy, especially at a time when big companies are downsizing, said David Call, a board member of the Rochester Business Alliance's Small Business Council, which had a booth at the show.
The show's mission is to provide a resource for small companies and those interested in starting their own businesses.
The show's 110 exhibitors ranged from startups and franchises to law firms, business organizations offering free consultations and major corporations such as Paychex Inc. that wanted to showcase their small business services.
Office supply giant Staples sponsors the show to support its customers and the small business community. "The small business community drives the underlying business of the community," said John Bezon, Staples' business development representative. "What's going on in the Rochester community is that, with (companies) downsizing, more people are starting their own businesses."
The event drives foot traffic in stores, Bezon said.
Participants said they came to meet potential customers, business partners and learn how to better run their companies.
"There are services that the Postal Service offers that I didn't even know they offered," said Hanks.
Glen Williams, 38, who recently moved to Rochester from New York City to run a cleaning service, said he got a crash course on small-business resources in Rochester.
"It is great just having the knowledge of where to go and how to get things done," the entrepreneur said.