REED CITY — One of the many challenges facing small businesses and nonprofit organizations is getting the word out about the products and services they provide.
However, the Reed City community will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of businesses and nonprofit organizations at the Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce’s 13th annual Community and Business Expo, which will include a health fair and flu clinic.
The expo is set for 5 to 7 p.m.on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Reed City High School Cafetorium, located at 225 W. Church St.
The expo is the chamber’s annual showcase of area businesses, community organizations and health care organizations, said the chamber’s Executive Director Chastity Eads.
“It’s a chance for the businesses and community organizations to highlight their products and services and spend time face-to-face with the community, clients and potential customers,” she said. “For the businesses, it’s a fun event for networking with each other and that important face-to-face time with the community.”
The annual event, which is free to attend, focuses on families just as much as the businesses and community organizations, Eads said.
“We partner with Great Start Collaborative so that we can also make it a family event,” she said. “They offer a lot of information of the different organizations out there and give information about preschool and other things families would want to know about.
“The community organizations and nonprofits are able to provide information and get noticed by people. They can provide information and connect families with the services they need.”
The chamber director said Central Michigan District Health Department also will be at the expo to provide families with flu shots, and Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital representatives will be present to answer health questions or concerns.
Eads said the expo also provides businesses the opportunity to showcase their products.
“Certain food vendors will be offering free samples that families and community members usually like,” she said. “At their tables, businesses may be offering discounts or coupons, so that (attendees) can connect with the businesses outside the expo. There also are drawings at the expo and people can throw their name in the pot and win things throughout the event. We’re pulling together a full cross-section of businesses.”
There are a variety of businesses participating this year, Eads said.
“We have anything from Y102 radio station in Big Rapids to Sunshine Carpet Services and Sales,” she said. “They are all going to be showcasing their products and services for people to know more about them.”
