By Suzanne Schmidt
Staff Writer
LAND O’ LAKES — “Travel down the business highway to success” is the theme of the upcoming Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
The Expo will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, from 4 to 7 p.m. March 12 and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 13. The Expo will have everything from local businesses showing their services, to a taste of the town and even a pie and cake baking contest.
The chamber has opened up the business expo to nonmembers, which is something they haven’t done before. Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the chamber, said she has about half of the 98 businesses she needs and may even sell out.
“We opened up to nonmembers because of the economy this year,” Dunkley said. “This gives businesses the opportunity to show off their products, services and employees. Many of the businesses that have been doing it for years keep coming back because they get business from it.”
Lou Molner, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Advantage Team Realty, said he has been in the Expo for at least 11 years because it is a great way for people to learn about his business.
“It is a chance to show our face and interact with the community,” Molner said. “I like it because I get to meet people in the community and people from other businesses. I also like to go and try the food. The chamber handles these Expo’s like real pros.”
Even though Dunkley is excited to show off the businesses in the community, she is really looking forward to the pie and cake contest, but she still needs more entries.
“We need people to participate,” Dunkley said. “It is a lot of fun. People don’t have to be the greatest bakers in the world; we would just like some people to make an attempt. First place will get a blue ribbon and a basket with baking equipment.”
After the judges get a taste, the extra slices will be sold at the event with the proceeds going to the Pageant Scholarship Fund at the chamber. The chamber usually has the Central Pasco Scholarship Pageant in the fall where teens can get as much as $500.
Visitors to the Expo will also have the opportunity to win door prizes and a $1,000 savings bond.
In addition to the Expo, the chamber will also have a Taste of the Town from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 13. Restaurants from the area like Pizza Villa and Golden Inn will have samples for $1 each.
“The restaurants give a lot more than just a sample of food for that dollar,” Dunkley said. “It would behoove the community to come out and try the restaurants and see what they have to offer.”
At the Expo, the chamber usually has a chef doing food demonstrations. This year the chamber is still looking for a “celebrity chef.”
In addition to promoting businesses through the Expo, the chamber recently started a Facebook page.
“I want to do more with it, but right now we have our events on there like our meetings and our ribbon cuttings,” Dunkley said. “It is a great way to get our information out there quickly.”
For more information, visit www.centralpascochamber.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Pasco-Chamber-of-Commerce/178745857326.
