Check out the Business Expo this year!

3rd ANNUAL CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO EVENT AGAIN OFFERS PHILANTHROPIC COMPONENT: $1,000 will be given to nonprofits!

Winchester, Massachusetts- January 10, 2014: The 3rd annual WINCHESTER CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO is coming soon: Thursday, February 13, at Winchester Sons of Italy (Swanton Street), 6 – 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The Chamber’s EXPO last February was huge success, with sold-out exhibit space and heavy event traffic through the entire evening, and the Chamber board expects an even stronger turnout this year.

Today the Chamber’s board is happy to announce it will again include in the EXPO the ‘nonprofit drawing’ philanthropic component. Here’s how it works: As attendees enter the event to browse businesses booths, they’ll each get one complementary ‘nonprofit drawing’ ticket. There will be a list of nonprofit groups provided which have registered with the Chamber to participate in our EXPO ‘nonprofit drawing.’ People will check off the nonprofit group of their choice. At three points during the event, the Chamber will give away $250, $250, and $500, respectively---awarded to whichever nonprofit is ‘checked off’ on that winning ticket.

“This is a fun and mutually-beneficial way to foster even more community participation in this annual Winchester Chamber of Commerce event,” said Maura Fredey, Chamber board member. “It helps us encourage attendance and gives back to nonprofit groups---a win-win!”

The chamber developed the Business EXPO (first held in February 2012 at the Griffin Museum) to provide a venue for chamber members who do not have a store front or a business right in downtown Winchester to showcase their businesses to other chamber members and the community at large. Last year's event sold out of table space and 'the house' was packed. In recent years, the Winchester chamber membership has grown to more than 300 members, a large number of which are home-based businesses or businesses without a traditional storefront in the town center. “The products and services these folks offer are quite diverse and terrific, and we want to help them gain exposure,” added Cathy Alexander, Executive Director of the Chamber.

Attendees can expect to find out about the incredible breadth of products and services that this particular group of chamber members can offer you and your family, and even your own business.....financial services, fashion, nutrition, fitness, home design and products, and specialty foods. “You will enjoy a local night out, connect with a dynamic group of people, and perhaps enjoy a cocktail while you browse the wide variety of exhibits,” added Alexander. “The added bonus is that by coming you will help support the charitable aspect of the event----and your favorite nonprofit may get a meaningful financial gift at the end of the night!”

The Chamber is currently soliciting nonprofit sign-ups for the ‘nonprofit drawing’ component. If you would like to register your local non-profit group, please contact the Chamber today at 781-729-8870 or e-mail info@winchesterchamber.com Your nonprofit group must be registered in advance of the event to take part in this opportunity.

HOW CAN MY NONPROFIT ENTER?

Step 1: REGISTER your nonprofit. Do this by e-mailing or calling the Chamber at info@winchesterchamber.com 781-729-8870.

Step 2: PROMOTE the event among your nonprofit’s network and membership. Remember, the more people who come representing your group, the better chance your group has of winning the drawing. The chamber will provide you with e-mail text to send to your network as well as a pdf and jpg flyer which you can send to your membership (Please announce the event and your group's participation to your group members within 5 business days of registering your participation.). The chamber will also create an e-mail blast message which you can send to your network closer to the 2/13 event. Please talk up the event and how the drawing works to help us build event buzz! Include it in your organization's newsletter, message board, and be sure to share and invite your networks via facebook, etc. This event will be a win-win if we work together! Imagine what $250 or $500 could do for your group!

Step 3: COME on February 13. Check off your nonprofit’s name on the drawing ticket. Good Luck!