RUMFORD – Ceciliia Vistica set up her ethereal display focused on the ancient art of feng shui – the belief that the arrangement of a person’s home and environment affects balance and harmony in life – at the River Valley Expo for the first time Friday night.
The Andover woman has operated her business, Beauty Blessed Be, for a couple of years. She thought the expo was the place to be to get the word out about the importance of her business.
By early Friday evening, she had already talked to many people, including a recently licensed real estate agent about the importance of finding a suitable site to build a home and how to create a meaningful move for someone who has just bought a new home.
Hers was one of at least a dozen area businesses that set up a display this year, for the first time. The expo allows businesses to let people know what they do, and it lets business people talk with one another about their successes and challenges.
In all, more than 150 businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations created displays at Mountain Valley High School.
Networking was the big thing Friday night. The first day of the event aimed to give businesses a chance to meet and talk with other businesses.
Brenda Flagg, owner of State Farm Insurance in Rumford, takes part in the expo every year. She said the night before the expo opens to the general public is a relaxing time to meet with other businesses.
“Networking,” she said, “gives businesses a chance to talk about how I can help you and you can help me to grow our businesses.”
She said she had talked with a real estate agent about some of the insurance liabilities and guidelines the agent should know about in her business.
Another new exhibitor this year was Gerry Boudreau, who was representing his new business, Boardwalk Suites. He also owns Park Place Catering.
Next to him was the booth operated by the University of Maine System’s Rumford/Mexico Center. One of the college’s administrators, Jean Kay, took the opportunity to talk with Boudreau about a possible need for someone to teach business courses. Boudreau has a master’s degree in business and might be interested. In turn, Kay learned about alternative accommodations for visitors who might come to the area.
When Bev Gallant opened her catering business, Klas-A Catering, in Rumford last year, she knew she wanted to set up at the annual expo.
“We get to meet people and let them know we are here. The expo is fantastic. We also get to know about other businesses,” she said.
She said she and co-chairwoman Yvonne Allen are ending their organizational leadership after this year’s River Valley Expo. The two women have headed up the economic event since its beginning three years ago.
The expo committee is now looking for two other people to begin planning for next year’s event.
The free event is open Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain Valley High School to the general public. Child care is available by Maureen’s Preschool at the high school.
Comments are no longer available on this story