By Carol Coultas,Business Writer

LEWISTON – Organizers for this year’s Business to Business Trade Show have reason to celebrate.

Aside from reaching its 10-year milestone, the trade show sold out exhibition space a full month before the June 16 event. And it’s moving to a new venue: the Colisee.

The air-conditioned Colisee.

“Yes, there’s been a lot of enthusiasm about having the show at the Colisee,” said Paul Badeau, marketing director of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council and primary organizer of the annual event. “It’s air-conditioned, there’s ample parking and people are excited about seeing the new improvements at the Colisee.”

More than 200 exhibitors will get their chance as they set up booths and displays in what was formerly the Central Maine Civic Center. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the trade show, hundreds of small posters depicting the businesses that have participated over the years will be displayed around the central rink area of the Colisee. A curtain of balloons will be dropped from the Colisee ceiling as a huge birthday cake is cut at the end of the show.

“We’re trying to make it special,” said Badeau.

The event draws thousands of people interested in making connections with Lewiston-Auburn’s business community. The price of admission is a business card.

The event will be kicked off with a breakfast at Bates College, where the Gray Athletic building was the previous site for the trade show. The keynote speaker is Richard Pfeffer, owner of Gritty McDuff’s. He’s expected to talk about what prompted the brew pub to pick Auburn for its third location.

The trade show follows, opening its doors at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the exhibits, there will be seminars offered throughout the day in the Colisee’s PowerPlay club, followed by a networking reception at the end of the day from 4:30 to 6 p.m. catered by DaVinci’s.

Lee Horsman, director of business development for Unicel, will present a seminar titled “Advanced Applications in the Wireless World” from 10 to 11 a.m. Horsman will provide an overview of advanced cell-phone technology and talk about new applications, including global navigation systems, inventory tracking, health-care administration and real-estate portfolio management.

Greg Gould, a certified business counselor for the Maine Small Business Development Center, will address issues a company must face when it reaches a milestone in sales or performance targets. “To Grow or Not to Grow” will address such questions as whether to add employees, expand, relocate or diversify. Gould has extensive experience in strategic planning and employee management, and has presented promotional workshops throughout New England. His presentation will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Also a panel discussion titled “Establishing Vendor Relationships with L-A’s Largest Employers” will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The panel consists of Stephen M. Gauthier, regional director of contracting and material services at Central Maine Healthcare; Ron Bellemore, director of material management of the Sisters of Charity Health System; and Sarah Potter, contract officer for Bates College. Attendees will learn how Lewiston-Auburn’s three largest employers establish vendor relationships, as well as why they occasionally have no choice but to select a vendor from outside the region. Presenters will include a question-and-answer session.

Registration is not necessary for the seminars, but appreciated, and may be arranged by calling 784-0161.