Vendors tout their wares

Dave Hansen has promoted his mail-order business at expos and trade shows all over the United States.

He said the one he attended Tuesday at Nash Community College was one of the better expos.

Hansen was one of the new out-of-town vendors who decided to take out a booth to promote their products and services at the 21st annual Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

“I am very impressed, and believe me, I do some big shows,” said Hansen, the director of marketing for Professional Mail Services Inc. based in the Research Triangle Park. He already has reserved a space for next year’s event. “This is probably one of the nicest shows that we’ve done this year. The customer service and attitude is fantastic. The layout is beautiful.”

Hundreds of people attended the business expo that attracted more than 120 vendors at the college’s Business and Industry Center, Brown Auditorium and surrounding outside areas of the campus. The event has become one of the larger one-day trade shows in Eastern North Carolina. Chamber officials said they were counting their blessings for the postcard sunny weather. Monday night’s rain hurt turnout at the Rocky Mount Fair, and more rain was forecast throughout the rest of this week.

Shearin Johnson, the chief operating officer for the chamber, said the event attracted a similar number of exhibitors to last year, which is an accomplishment considering the down economy.

“We’re very, very excited,” she said.

Just about everyone got something out of the event.

Businesses made contacts and promoted their products to the hundreds of people who attended the event at Nash Community College.

Expo attendees Loretta and Carolyn Clark said they were pleased at all the free stuff businesses doled out at the booths.

The Clarks regularly attend the expo.

“It’s very interesting,” Loretta Clark said. “You get popcorn and donuts. You get to see different people you haven’t seen in a long time.”

As they sat on a bench in the outside expo area munching on popcorn, they had bags full of free items businesses were giving away, including pads, pens and T-shirts.

Businesses also were able to promote their products and services to other businesses.

NCFlyPorts was using the expo to promote the on-demand air service being offered out of the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport. NCFlyPorts is a program sponsored by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division.

“We’re trying to promote the area through economic development,” said Tonya Hampton, marketing manager for the organization. “And this on-demand air service is an economic development tool. In partnership with people like the Carolinas Gateway Partership, we felt like this would be a good way to get in touch with the community.”

Hans Hess, the airport manager, said the expo is a good vehicle to sell businesses on using the on-demand air service.

“It’s just a good way to contact the business community,” he said.

AT&T Charter Service Inc. was showing off its new bus featuring leather seats. The Louisburg-based company offers charter services, such as a trip to Disney World.

“(The expo has been) pretty good so far,” said operator Denny House.

Tim Fisher was another first-time vendor. He was promoting his Nashville-based Eastern Expedition Equipment company, which rents out kayaks and canoes.

Fisher hoped the expo would bring recognition to his local company.

“A lot of people in Nashville have no idea we are here,” he said.