Nutter will kick off Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

The following is an advertisement for the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Northeast PhiladelphiaChamber of Commerce Annual “Business is Blooming” Expo will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Holy Family University, Frankford and Grant avenues in the Campus Center gymnasium. The Expo is open to the public, and admission is free. This revives a GNPCC tradition that opens the Expo to the community, rather than just businesses.

The event is expected to bring together nearly 100 businesses and nonprofits who will display their goods and services from a wide variety of industries. Exhibitor tables are available at $350 for members, $599 for non-members. Mayor Michael A. Nutter will officially kick-off the Expo at 2 p.m.

“This is the best opportunity you will have to maximize your market share,” said GNPCC President Al Taubenberger. “We are working very hard to create the optimum event for all businesses to showcase their products and services. And with the public invited for the first time in many years, we think it’s going to be a very busy day for our exhibitors.”

Hundreds of local businesspersons, many of them key decision-makers at work, attended last year’s Expo, and are expected to do the same again this year. New to the Expo this year will be outdoor exhibitors. Among them are SEPTA’s hybrid bus and Verizon’s S.T.A.R. vehicle. And there’s more that’s new. Throughout the day, free business workshops will be offered. Topics include auto leasing tips, tuition programs for business, networking for business and smart energy ideas from PECO. The Expo will also feature samples of local cuisine with the “Taste of Northeast Philly” featuring restaurant and catering exhibitors, as well as beer tastings.

The Third Annual Business Expo Luncheon will be held before the Expo,starting at 12:30 p.m. Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen will beguest speaker. Mayor Nutter will give closing luncheon remarks prior to the official Expo opening. The luncheon will be held in Holy Family’s dining hall in the Campus Center building. Tickets are $30 for members, $50 for non-members. Please reserve in advance by calling the GNPCC at 215-332-3400. As is custom at the Expo, a large array of beautifully decorated gift baskets will be on display for Silent Auction. Donations for these baskets are still being sought. Sponsorship packages are also available starting at $1,000.

The Expo is co-sponsored by the Northeast Times, Holy Family University, Nazareth Hospital, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, Crown Holdings, Inc., Muller, Inc., Comcast Business Class, Fox Chase Bank, Wawa, Sandmeyer Steel Co., SPIN, Inc., Chapman Northeast Ford Lincoln Mercury, Allegra Print and Imaging, Clear Channel Outdoor and WFIL/WNTP radio.

“This year’s Expo is going to be a blockbuster event,” said Taubenberger.“We want you to be part of it.”

The GNPCC Annual Business Expo has become a rite of spring for many. At the 2010 Expo, for example, the following industries were represented: banking, travel, dining, catering, health care, communications, social services, senior living, education, maintenance, warehouse clubs, food and beverage, online services, commercial development, payroll services, insurance, floral, autobody, storage, nursing, imports and hotels. For more information about the GNPCC Annual Business Expo, call 215-332-3400 or visit the website.