The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 25th annual Business Expo will be held Thursday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Rebecca Pittillo of Jefferson Regional Medical Center is chairing the event, which will be highlighted by assorted activities.
“Business Expo is such an important annual event for the chamber and our community,” she said.
Kicking off the Expo will be a 7-8:30 a.m. breakfast at which the chamber’s first-ever Small, Large and Non-profit Businesses of the Year will be announced. Finalists in the respective categories are MK Distributors, Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors, and Trotter Ford-Lincoln; Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pine Bluff National Bank, and Simmons First National Bank; and CASA Women’s Shelter, Neighbor to Neighbor, and United Way of Southeast Arkansas.
Also, 50 “customer service stars” – nominated by chamber members who’ve been “happy recipients” of their “exemplary service” – will be recognized and presented gift cards from Simmons First National Bank.
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Seating for the breakfast is limited. Tickets, priced at $15 each, may be purchased at the door or in advance at The Alliance, at 510 Main St.
A vehicle display is planned for 7 a.m.-3 p.m. in the convention center lobby.
The arena will host a trade show, health fair and charity focus from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Numerous businesses will be manning booths during the trade show, distributing favors while promoting their services. Free health screenings and health-related information will be available at the health fair, sponsored by Jefferson Regional Medical Center. The Jefferson County Community Spotlight – co-sponsored by Southeast Arkansas College and the Pine Bluff Convention and Visitors Bureau – will offer a look at area charitable organizations.
KTRN Radio’s Billy Coble will broadcast live from the arena. JRMC and Strong Manufacturing are co-sponsoring the broadcast, in which exhibitors will be interviewed and door-prize winners announced. The broadcast will also feature music.
Admission to the arena will be $5, which may be paid at the door. Advance tickets are available at The Alliance.
The final event of the day will be the awarding of a grand door-prize.