Features

A Matter of Momentum

Pieces Coming Together for Second Annual Business Expo

As she talked about the rapidly approaching Western Mass. Business Expo 2012, Kate Campiti put to use a phrase that has become an operating mantra for many businesses across this region: continuous improvement.
Indeed, while the inaugural expo surpassed all of its stated goals — from selling out the floor at the MassMutual Center to capturing the attention of the area’s business community (more than 2,300 guests took in the event), to providing thought-provoking seminars and special programs — the mission for year two is clear and simple: to improve upon that performance and bring more value to exhibitors, attendees, and sponsors.
And this is why a large steering committee, which began meeting earlier this year, has a lengthy list of assignments and items on its to-do list, said Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest, which is again presenting the expo, slated for Oct. 11 at the MassMutual Center.
Among them is the task of creating an even more compelling roster of educational seminars, designed for all levels of a company’s workforce, she said, adding that another involves bolstering two intriguing elements from last year’s show — health care and technology ‘corridors.’
Both were effective in spotlighting area businesses in those sectors, said Campiti, adding that the goal for 2012 is to make these corridors longer and, at the same time, more interactive.
“Technology is a matter that affects everyone and every business,” said Campiti. “We want to create opportunities for Expo guests to learn about the latest telecommunications technology and understand how it can help their businesses grow and become more efficient.
“Health care, meanwhile, is a vibrant, still-growing sector of the region’s economy,” she continued. “And we want to make people aware of how strong and diverse that industry is here in Western Mass.”
Another assignment for the steering committee is exploration of another corridor, one that would turn the spotlight on the region’s still-vibrant manufacturing sector, said Campiti, adding that one of the goals for organizers is to create an even larger, more diverse roster of exhibitors, one that truly reflects the depth of the business community.
And there will be more room for such exhibitors on the show floor, she said, noting that the event organizers will make use of more of the many facilities at the MassMutual Center for educational seminars and other programs, thus expanding the footprint for exhibitors.
These changes are among many developments that all point toward considerable momentum for the 2012 Expo, said Campiti, adding that another is the early return of many of last year’s sponsors, including presenting sponsor Comcast Business Class. Others that are returning are silver sponsors Health New England, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, and Stevens 470.
There are many additional opportunities for sponsorship, she continued, adding that, by attaching its name to the Expo, a company can gain invaluable exposure on a number of levels — in print, online, and in many ways at the event itself.
For more information on the Expo or to reserve a booth, call (413) 781-8600, or visit www.wmbexpo.com or www.businesswest.com.