RUMFORD – A special business showcase featuring companies and services in the River Valley will be held next year, after taking a couple of years off.

The River Valley Growth Council will supply a few volunteers and support, but no one stepped forward at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting to serve as co-chairman with the River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Past chamber President Cheryl Dickson appeared at the meeting to ask for support, to gauge interest, and to find a co-chairman. And although no one stepped forward from the growth council, she said following her presentation that the River Valley Expo will go on, likely sometime in the fall of 2008.

The Expo, which was held in 2003, ’04 and ’05, drew thousands of people to as many as 150 booths showcasing various businesses in the area. It had been co-chaired by a chamber member and a growth council member.

But Rich Allen, president of the growth council, said the co-chairmanship was so time-consuming for the organization’s director that her job of trying to find and attract new businesses to area was compromised.

The organization’s small staff can’t be used for next year’s expo, he said, although several board members have volunteered to sit on the 12-person steering committee or serve in some other way.

“We need to offer something for the businesses, and the expo always had great reviews,” said Dickson, who added she will likely be the co-chairwoman from the chamber.

Growth council members who showed interest include Paula Smith from Andover, Kelly Greene from Rumford, and Norris Conant of Canton.

Allen, a member of the local Rotary, said he will also check with that civic organization about volunteering.

Dickson said the first steering committee meeting for the anticipated 2008 River Valley Expo will be scheduled later in the month. Early on, such meetings will be monthly. But as the event draws nearer, meetings will be more frequent.

Anyone wishing to take part in the planning is asked to call the chamber at 364-3241.