Hartford Business Journal Special Editions

BP-8 Hartford Business Journal • March 3, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com HBJBUSINESSPROFILES The 2014 CT Business Expo — Get A Year's Worth Of Prospects In One Day! O n June 5, 2014, more than 4,000 business profes- sionals from throughout the State will gather at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The 2014 Connecticut Business Expo will showcase hun- dreds of exhibitors, offer free business-building work- shops, have "must-attend" networking events and share valuable business best practices. This one day show is mission critical for business owners and executives who need cutting edge busi- ness building ideas, strategies, products and services. Networking opportunities will abound! Attendees and exhibitors alike will have the chance to meet and exchange ideas and experiences. Connecticut busi- ness connects on June 5th! "Business is done between people, and so the relationship building, the commu- nication that happens eyeball to eyeball, you just can't get online" says Drew Crandall, of Keep In Touch. Drew wouldn't miss this show! For Presenting Sponsor Comcast Business, this is an opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. Comcast Business has been presenting sponsor of the show for over 8 years. Their team prepares to make the most of the day and so that they can be a resource to all of the show attendees. "This is one of the shows in the area that draws everybody. The people are all here, they're excited to be here, and Hartford is thriv- ing today" said Charlie Tzoumas, Comcast Business, in June of 2013. Statistics show that 73% of Expo attendees rely on trade shows to keep up on important trends and devel- opments in their industry. And 82% of Expo attendees use trade shows to decide what products and services to buy, therefore 85% of exhibitors use trade shows to introduce new products. Exhibitors across all indus- tries can be found at the Expo: Business services, manufacturing, marketing, non-profit, retail, educa- tion, telecommunications and more! In 2013 over 140 Connecti- cut towns were represented in attendance. Exit research has shown that 59% of attendees are CEO, CFO, COO, President, Vice Pres- ident, Partner, Owner, Director or Senior Manager. This allows attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to chat with their target audience. Decision mak- ers will be at the Expo, making the decisions that count. There are several ways to be involved in this BIG BUSINESS DAY. As a sponsor, companies highlight their connection with the business community and receive hundreds of thousands of logo impressions even before the event begins. Sponsors will appear in print in several area newspapers as well as online at HartfordBusiness.com, HBJ Today and CT Morning Blend. Howard Schwartz of the Better Business Bureau says, "The Connecticut Better Business Bureau has been a proud sponsor of the Business expo and will continue to be so in the future, because it works." As an exhibitor, companies come to highlight their new goods and services. With thousands of businesses people in the room that day, it's a great opportunity to demonstrate value to potential companies, many of whom are difficult to reach. In 2013, Cindi Gondek of the ACT Group said "It's been going fantastic, our booth has been filled all day…Everyone's here to see everybody's businesses and plus to break out to all the networking groups." The CTBEXPO's Booth Spotlight offers the first 40 companies who sign up the opportunity to shine a light on special promotions, demonstrations or giveaways that their booth will feature that day in the Show Guide, handed out to all attendees and promoted in preshow marketing materials. As an attendee, it is all about learning, and meeting as many people as you can. Many attendees plan out their day using the schedule of events, and the floor map. In 2013 Michael Vigeant of Great Blue said, "It's a combination of learning and networking all in one con- fined space, over one long day but you get al lot accom- plished in the time that you are here." On this one day of the year people make more connections and build the foundations of more relationships than any other. New Features One of the keys of any recurring trade show is CHANGE! The CTBEXPO team has created new ele- ments that will enhance the attendee and the exhibi- tor experience. Unlike many shows, CTBEXPO offers the convenient option to print name badges from your home/office. New in 2014 are Education Hubs. These are large open air arenas designed for interactive and engaging learning sessions. Topics will include: Social Media, Marketing, Sales and Business Services. All of the edu- cational sessions are targeted to help business owners top left: the floor bustles with activity all day at the Ct Business Expo. top right: attendees gather for the lunchtime think tank. Bottom left: Sally rider explains the floor plan at the Pre-Expo training Session. Bottom Middle: attendees gather information from the many exhibitors. Bottom right: the B2B theater will host a variety of well-known guest speakers in 2014. ' ' This one day show is mission critical for business owners and executives who need cutting edge business building ideas, strategies, products and services.

• Cover