The Payson Roundup / Business Showcase & Market Place

Archive for Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Vendors will team up to succeed this year at the business showcase

March 18, 2009

Roundup file photo

Fun and games for all ages are always part of the festivities at the annual showcase. This year the event is being held at the old gym at Payson High School on Saturday, March 21.

Roundup file photo

Roundup file photo Bobby Davis represented the Payson Roundup and The Rim Review at last year’s Business Showcase, hosted by the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Expect to find a new style at the 17th anniversary Business Showcase and Market Place. Organizers decided to shake things up a bit and for the first time let businesses not only display their products, but sell them — and there is a new venue too, the Payson High School (old) gym.

Both inside and outside the Payson High School gym on March 21, vendors will display and sell their goods and services.

Dubbed the “Team Up to Succeed” showcase by the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event, this year vendors are being allowed to “team up” and share a booth to defer the $200 entry fee.

“Under the current economic circumstances, we felt it would behoove us to help small businesses defray the cost to attend,” said chamber manager John Stanton.

Exhibitors include businesses and organizations from around the Rim Country, including long-standing businesses like the Payson Regional Medical Center, Chase Bank and Gila Community College, and new businesses like Green Scene Solar and Fresh Breeze Heating and Cooling to name a few.

Night Storms Designs and Life and Rain Photography are planning on teaming up to share a booth along with We Build Green and Wholesale Lenders.

Stanton says the showcase is an opportunity to introduce residents, visitors and other local businesses to the wide variety of goods and services offered by local merchants and area organizations.

Who knew Payson had a business devoted to rocks or that you could be paid to travel with Best Travel by Reeds? Besides the larger companies and organizations, there will be unique small businesses like this displaying their products and services.

Before the main event, a chamber mixer open for everyone, including showcase participants, sponsors and chamber members to network will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 20 at the Majestic Mountain Inn. The cost to attend the mixer is $3 for chamber members and $5 for the public. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Payson Parks and Recreation who work to keep athletic programs running for the town.

“People can come and share a little cheer and network,” Stanton said. “Bring business cards to hand out.”

The showcase is open to the public, free of charge, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 21.

During the showcase, participants will have the opportunity to compete for the Best Inside Booth, Best Outside Booth, Best Themed Booth and People’s Choice Award.

All booths will be offering at least a $25 raffle prize. You can eat too, the Kiwanis Club will be selling brats and more.

“The point of the raffle is to get people to your booth and to get a prospect list,” Stanton said.

Participants are encouraged to hand out catalogs, promotion sheets and collect e-mail addresses while visitors should take advantage of the opportunity to mingle with local business owners and learn what they have to offer.

For more information about the event, contact the chamber at (928) 474-4515.

2009 Exhibitors

Payson Pet Care & Veterinary Clinic Chamber & DJ Craig

Cruiseport Travel

Gazette/Reliable Plumbing

Payson Relay for Life

The Rock Yard

Night Storms Designs/Life and Rain Photography

Fashion Frenzy

Elaine’s Embroidery/Pine Yarn Shop

Healthy Perspectives

Fresh Breeze Heating and Cooling