ALPENA - In 2000, the annual Business Expo in Alpena was created as a community event geared toward providing an enjoyable platform for local business owners to showcase their products and services. On Saturday The Alpena News is proud to celebrate 13 years of supporting Alpena's entrepreneurs with a large event at the APlex.
In addition to the business expo, the popular book sale will be taking place concurrently as well as a craft show, which will be a popular new addition to the overall event. The event promises to have a little something for everyone.
The Alpena News Advertising Manager Laura Lancewicz said many different types of business will be represented. She said some will be offering special incentives and others drawings for prizes. She said the expo provides businesses and potential customers to become acquainted in a festive setting.
"We have a wide variety of businesses represented this year," Lancewicz said. "There is anything from medical companies, funeral homes, to insurance agencies and many different types of retailers, including builders. You name it we have it."
As in years past there will be drawings for prizes, which includes a two-day stay at the Thunder Bay Resort from the event's sponsors, but Lancewicz said some of the participants also chose to have drawing for products or services from their individual stores.
"Each booth is individual in terms of what they are going to offer, as far as specials or drawings," she said. "Some will have special pricing, while others will have give-aways of their own. This is on top of what we give away at Business Expo."
For those who work up an appetite while browsing through the expo or book sale, Burton's Last Resort will have lunch items available. Lancewicz said the people of Northeast Michigan have always helped the expo be successful and anticipates this year will be no different.
"We have always had great community support for the event and have thousands of people come out every year to visit and sign up for the great prizes we will be giving away all day long," Lancewicz said. "This year's show has grown slightly from last year. As everybody knows the economy hasn't been the greatest, but we are picking up speed this year and have grown more with the addition of the craft show."
Ken Pokorszynski, circulation director for The Alpena News, said adding the craft show to the other two events just made sense. He said it allows the local craft makers an opportunity to put their creations on exhibit in a situation where many people will stop and admire it.
"We have 19 different crafters who have a wide variety of arts and crafts," Pokorszynski said. "This craft show is during a time when there aren't a lot of other ones taking place. The holidays have passed and the summer season isn't here yet, so it should help the crafters. This is a great avenue for them, because there aren't many places you can go right now and get several thousand people walk by your booth.
We just thought it would be a great opportunity for them and another thing the people attending will enjoy."
The event is free to the public.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.