RUMFORD – The River Valley Expo Committee plans to take a break, after more than a year of intense planning for the promotional event held last weekend. But before committee members do that, they’ll be evaluating the one that just ended.

On Thursday night, six committee members and a half-dozen business participants did just that for two and a half hours.

The consensus? It was a resounding success.

“Everything was so positive. Ninety-eight percent of the comments said it was upbeat, professional and well-planned. It was definitely a successful show,” said Rosie Bradley, co-chairwoman of the event that drew thousands of visitors and more than 150 exhibitors. Visitors came from throughout western and central Maine. After seeing banners or hearing radio ads, a few travelers from as far away as California dropped in to see what the River Valley had to offer.

But as good as it was, the committee believes it can be made better.

Improving traffic flow

One of the major glitches was logistical, she said. Outside vendors and some of the inside businesses, nonprofits and home-based businesses located in the classrooms didn’t get as much foot traffic as they would have liked, she said. A majority of the exhibits were set up in the Mountain Valley High School gymnasium.

“We’re going to look at how to correct the traffic flow,” said Bradley.

Ideas debated on Thursday included: putting more exhibits in the cafeteria, which is adjacent to the gym, improving the public announcement system and working on incentives to get people out of the gym and into the classrooms or outside the building.

The committee may also look at holding next year’s event at a different site, although Bradley doesn’t think the venue will change. The SAD 43 administration and custodians were extremely helpful in accommodating the expo, she said.

In addition, a push will be to boost attendance at the expo’s business forums held the night before and the day of the event. The committee also will try to get more food vendors and demonstrators to take part.

Each participant was asked to fill out a survey form critiquing the expo. Of the 79 that have been returned so far, all but two said they would be back next year. Others, who didn’t participate this year, preferring to take a “wait and see” attitude, have already said they want to be a part of next year’s event.

The ripple effect

Norine Clarke, one of the business exhibitors, is sure she’ll be back next year.

“We were excited to be a part of the most optimistic event to take place here. It increased the awareness of our business and the awareness of the number of things available in the River Valley,” she said. She and her husband, Ralph, own Log Cabin Craftworks in Dixfield.

“People coming into the exhibit had smiles on their faces. They were happy to be a part of it,” Clarke said. “The positive aspect of the expo will have widespread ripples, the start of a positive change.”

Bradley said sponsors of the event – the River Valley Growth Council and the River Valley Chamber of Commerce – had hoped to break even. They did better than that, anticipating several thousand dollars left over once all the bills are paid. Part of that money will go towards next year’s event. The rest will be split by the two groups.

Some businesses already want to sign up. Bradley said registrations will take place starting in January. The 2004 event will be the last weekend of September.

The chamber also plans will take the positive feelings from the expo to continue to help educate business people about the importance of networking, as well as about the opportunities available through the local Eggs and Issues, and Business After Hours programs.

Perhaps as important as the business aspect and networking opportunities of the expo was the cohesiveness of the whole event.

“The towns and businesses worked together. There was camaraderie in our region,” she said.

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