The Who’s Who of the Business Community
By: Jensen Moore
On Oct. 24, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo in the Ramada Downtown Topeka. More than 100 exhibitors will be presenting their wares and services to the public while connecting and learning from their fellow local businesses.
The event will commence with a luncheon in the Grand Ballroom. During this time, attendees will hear a keynote presentation from the members of Top Tank. Learn what inspired these six impresarios to create a contest that will endow one creative entrepreneur with $100,000 to start their business, and how this contest will benefit Shawnee County. Members Include Brent Boles, Schendel Lawn & Landscape; John Dicus, Capitol Federal; Cody Foster, Advisors Excel; Jim Klausman, Midwest Health; Mark Ruelle, Westar Energy; and Greg Schwerdt, Schwerdt Design Group, Inc.
Lunch requires a ticket, but the Expo will be open to the public. While visitors wander through the Ramada’s Atrium and Ballroom, they will be able to interact face-to-face with a variety of professionals representing many industries; including banks, tech providers, restaurants and cleaning companies. Exhibitors have been known to include games, prizes and creative technology to help better individually inform the attendees on their company’s specific services.
“This event is fun for exhibitors and patrons alike,” says the Chamber’s Vice President of Resource Development Ashley Charest. “With the sheer amount of diversity in terms of industry present in one space for that amount of time, exhibitors should definitely expect to make new connections and gain more information on the other businesses in the community.”
In addition to the numerous networking opportunities, all attendees – as long as they remember to enter their name in the running- will be eligible to win prizes during the multiple drawings done throughout the day. Prizes include a smart TV, a generator, a Fitbit, and tablets.
One of this year’s special features includes a co-working space located in the back of the Ballroom. This quiet space comes complete with internet, power strips, tables and chairs. Feel free to step away to take a call or do a little bit of work before you return to the fun.
The events of the day will conclude with a networking social exclusively for Chamber members. During this time, the results from the “Best of” Awards will be announced. Eight awards will be presented in the following categories: Friendliest Booth, Most Creative, Most Interactive, Most Informative, Best First Time Exhibitor, Best Product/Demo/Technology, Best of the Atrium and Best of Booth.