What's Happening in Winston-Salem, NC…

Business people, innovators, and entrepreneurs got together in Winston-Salem on September 18 at the Triad Business & Innovation Expo.

The convention, which is sponsored by the city's Chamber of Commerce, is a business trade show that gives small business people the chance to tell others what they do, as well as enabling them to make useful contacts.

Larger companies are also able to explain parts of their operations that might be unfamiliar to others. For example, Costco representatives were there with samples of two of their cakes, to make sure people understood that baked goods at the store are made from scratch.

Steve and Pam Marino, who have a food truck, said they were happy to be able to meet people they might not have thought of in other circumstances.

The highlight of the show this year was the Midday Mingle, where restaurants provided free samples of their food.

Organizers estimated that approximately 1,000 people attended the event. Even though the number of participants was down slightly this year, chamber CEO and president Gayle Anderson said that the number of vendors has fallen at trade shows everywhere. Despite this, she was confident that the show drew a significant number of decision-makers from the business community.

Event organizers might consider working with brochure printers to create a booklet for wide distribution, recapping this year's show and inviting area businesses to attend next year.