Last weekend’s first-ever Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo was a success, leaving business representatives and organizers pleased with attendance and looking forward to next year.

 

“It exceeded my expectations,” said Lori Johnson, president of Clear Valley Business Connections, who sponsored the event. “It really was a nice turnout and good to get to know some of the other businesses.”

 

Attendance at the event was steady from 10 a.m., when the expo started, all the way through to 1 p.m., when the event wrapped up. Nearly 20 businesses were on hand to showcase their offerings and speak with visitors.

 

“This was a fantastic idea, and turnout was better than expected,” said Lonna Christenson of Taco Gringo. “It was great to see all the local Clearwater and Clear Lake people.”

 

“We started talking about an event like this a few years ago but just didn’t get it off the ground,” said Scott Gjevre, retail supervisor of McDonald’s Meats. “I was impressed with the turnout and networking, along with the variety that was here.”

 

“I think it went really well for the first time,” said Kari McDermott, who was there representing her business, Young Living. “People coming through were all really receptive. It was nice to have the opportunity to talk to everyone.”

 

“We hope people who came found businesses they weren’t aware of,” said Johnson. 

 

Clear Valley Business Connections (CVBC) organized the expo to promote shopping local, and for the surrounding community to get to know their local businesses and what they have to offer. 

 

Organizers are hoping to build on the event’s success and hold the expo again next year, making it an annual event.

 

Always looking for ways they can help area businesses, CVBC has organized a new opportunity on April 27, a breakfast event for members of the organization to get together and tour Authority Fence & Deck, who is hosting the breakfast.

 

“It’s kind-of like a field trip with free breakfast,” said Johnson.

 

Organizers hope the event, which is intended for local businesses to get to know each other, will be on-going throughout the year. Companies can sign up to host a breakfast and highlight their business.

 

The next regular quarterly meeting of the CVBC will be at the Clear Lake Town Hall on April 20 at 11:30 a.m. The theme will be hotdish, so attendees are encouraged to cook up their favorite recipe to share.