Business Expo 2012 brought several thousand people to the Pine Bluff Convention Center Thursday to learn about local businesses, non-profit groups and churches as part of the 25th annual event sponsored by the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Dozens of booths staffed by representatives of entities ranging from Simmons First National Bank to the Jefferson County Drug Court Outreach Foundation to First Assembly of God filled the arena and most offered attendees free items such as ink pens, key chains and candy.
Drawings were sponsored by many of the vendors for items that included event tickets and gift cards.
Chris Hart, chamber board chair, was pleased with the turnout and glad to see member businesses getting exposure in the community.
“This is the one time of the year that businesses the chamber represents get to show their wares and let the community see what they have,” Hart said. “We kicked the day off with the breakfast and gave awards to three great businesses and the Expo has put an exclamation point on our message that the chamber is committed to the businesses that it represents.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Lou Ann Nisbett, president and CEO of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, including the chamber, considered the expo a success.
“It looks like it’s going well,” Nisbett said. “It started out kind of slow but it has become really busy. People are leaving with their bags full and smiles on their faces.”
Glenn Babb was busy making popcorn at the Lakeside United Methodist Church booth.
“This is a community event and we are here today because we are a part of this community,” said Babb, a Lakeside member. “We believe it is important to take part in community activities. It’s a chance to meet with the people as they come by.”
Al Lowery, vice president for Commercial Lending at Simmons First National Bank, said that his company’s popular booth that featured bank employees serving up free hot dogs and soft drinks was a gesture of thanks for the community’s support.
“We feel we are a big part of this community and we support the community,” Lowery said. “We are giving away hot dogs to give back to our customers and to thank them for their business.”
Ida Litzey was enjoying the expo with friends.
“I enjoy visiting the different businesses and interacting with the people,” Litzey said.
Jean Brown won a plant from the Pine Bluff Cotton Belt Federal Credit Union.
“I come out to see what people have,” Brown said. “It’s nice. You see people you haven’t seen in a while.”
Bessie McClinton was excited to be the winner of two tickets to a wrestling event that will be held at the convention center.
“I enjoy being out and meeting different people,” McClinton said.
Michael Turley, an instructor at Southeast Arkansas College, saw the expo as a way for Pine Bluff to put its best foot forward.
“To me this is everything that is right about the present and future of Pine Bluff,” Turley said. “It represents what Pine Bluff is and what is should be.”
Tony Hilliard was at the expo to represent the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation.
“This is wonderful support for the businesses in the community,” Hilliard said.
Awards were given for Most Creative Booth, won by Scott Systems, and Most Informative Booth, won by Imperial Vending.
The Pine Bluff Police Department won a free booth for the 2013 Business Expo.