The 2013 Biz EXPO Exceeded Expectations

There’s nothing better than having fun while you work. That’s what happened at the second annual Biz Expo on Thursday evening. The event was hosted by the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce at the awesome Stardust Event Center in the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa.

The purpose for this happening was to enhance the business to business networking experience and community to business connections. Businesses and organizations that were members of the Michigan City Chamber set up shop at strategically placed booths all over the large room. Then they sold their wares to the eyes and ears of their fellow business persons and the general public.

Janette Thorn, Corporate Health Consultant for Porter Regional Hospital was there with an associate. They were enjoying the EXPO immensely.

“We are here marketing a new service line department at the hospital called ‘Health at Work’, “ Thorn said. “And we provide health and occupational wellness support for the workforce. Since we have new locations open we’re trying to market our new service line departments. We’re having a great time! This is actually our first time doing an event in La Porte County so we’re really happy to be part of this.”

There were many different things going on at the Biz EXPO besides networking. When people came in to the event they were given a raffle ticket. Every few minutes during the event a ticket was drawn from a bucket and whoever had the matching ticket won a prize. The event was three hours long, so that meant TONS of prizes if a drawing occurred every few minutes.

And there were some pretty spectacular prizes to be had like a basket full of specialty chocolates, a brand new grill set, spa packages, and free dinners. The prizes were donated by the exhibiting businesses.

“What we have today is a lot of positive energy from our business community,”Ann Dahm, President of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, said. “We have a very wide range of people and things here. There’s wonderful food, businesses that feature retail products, an investment manager here, insurance people; it’s a really good representation of our chamber members. And this event is open to the public so we’ve a lot of folks coming through because they want to see what’s going on in Michigan City. Last year it was only open to Chamber members and it was so successful that we wanted to open it up to the broader business public. We’re so thrilled that people want to stop by and do some business networking. I’m having a ball!”

There were many people that came to the Expo that afternoon. The ballroom was filled with the sounds of patrons as they asked and answered questions, perused booths, and chatted with friends and colleagues. There was even a local radio station broadcasting live about what was happening at the Biz Expo.

Free samples of delicious food from local restaurants were available and everyone gladly partook. Cameras and camera phones flashed and clicked as people posed for memorable photos.

Kammi Fox-Kay, Oncology Nurse Navigator and Liaison of Franciscan Alliance’s Woodland Cancer Care Center along with her colleague Amy Delahunty, Regional Outreach and Wellness Specialist for Franciscan Alliance were at the Biz EXPO. The ladies were promoting their brand new cancer care center, which offers medical and radiation oncology, and lab services all under one roof.

“We just felt it was important to support the Chamber here in Michigan City,” Delahunty said. “As one of the companies that have a location here in town, we wanted to come show our support for the community and network with other businesses and promote the great business that we have.”

It was a fantastic time from beginning to end. We at LaPorteCountyLife are already looking forward to next year!

Click here to see more photos from the event!

Find the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce on Facebook!

Title Sponsor: Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa

Exhibitor Sponsors: LaPorteCountyLife, Lighthouse Place, Horizon Bank, General Insurance Services

Media Sponsors: WIMS AM 1420, the News Dispatch, WEFM 95.9

Food Purveyors: Al's Supermarket, Lindt, Harry & David, Cabo's Ice Cream Shop & Cafe, Great Lakes Catering & Special Events