LEWISTON – If buzz were a currency, then the Androscoggin Bank Colisee was Fort Knox on Thursday.

Thousands of people wandered through the civic center, perusing the offerings of 200 booths exhibiting at the 12th annual Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show. Some chatted with old acquaintances, others got leads on business deals, some picked up information along with freebies as they sashayed from one booth to the next.

“Did you try the scones at the Hilton booth?” one businesswoman asked another.

“No, I filled up at Wilbur’s,” said the other with a laugh.

The trade show transformed the Colisee into a stage for local banks, professional services firms, real estate agencies, nonprofits, and other groups while the sponsoring agency, Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, made the most of promoting the area. A 36-page guide not only profiled each exhibitor, but also offered a summary of recent L-A accolades, as well as an area what-to-see guide.

Banners and a big-screen TV reminded people to check out the Maineiacs President’s Cup, while Lewiston city staff and elected officials roamed in newly minted All-America City polo shirts. The din didn’t quiet all day.

“It absolutely was a great show,” said Paul Badeau, marketing director for the growth council, which organized the event. “The whole point is to connect businesspeople with other businesspeople. We did that today.”

Although the trade show focus is business, there was plenty of fun and games. Champoux Insurance did a takeoff of “Deal or No Deal” at its booth, complete with pretty young assistants dressed in black.

Attendees got the chance to douse local notables with confetti in a dunk-tank-type contraption at the Community Credit Union booth that raised money for L/A Arts.

“Another $5 for L/A Arts!” shouted Andy Marsh of Uncle Andy’s Digest, as a shower of confetti fell on his head. Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert still had confetti in his hair hours after his turn in the tank.

“We wanted to do something to draw attention to our booth, but also raise money for L/A Arts at the same time,” said Kerry Wood, executive vice president at the credit union. “This is a great way to help the community and get the word out about our services.”

The theme of this year’s show, “What’s Now, What’s New, What’s Hot,” built on innovation, the theme of the growth council’s annual meeting last month where technology was front and center. At the Colisee, more than a dozen computer/Internet exhibitors vied for attendees’ attention.

A seminar on unlocking the potential of your existing technology (for instance, using Outlook for more than just e-mail) drew more than 20 in its first session and apparently hit a nerve.

“There was a barrage of questions, right from the start,” said Badeau. “At one point, I had to ask people to please let the presenters finish their presentations before asking their questions.”

But there was never a chance that high-tech would overtake “high-touch”, the phrase growth council President Lucien Gosselin uses for the intense contact the trade show historically provides. In some cases, it was literal. Davis Chiropractic offered mini alignment sessions at its booth.

Other senses got their due, too. Musician Lindsey Montana, who also works for the Sun Journal freestyled on a baby grand piano set up at Sweet Pea Designs booth. The scent from Paine Product balsam pillows wafted around the Mechanics Savings Bank booth. Women dressed in Victorian, Colonial and Wiccan garb wandered the aisles, promoting Drapeau’s Costumes and adding some visual contrast to an arena usually populated with burly hockey players.

But taste was the dominant sense as nearly every booth offered goodies to entice attendees to linger. It was also the unifying theme of the event’s after-party, which featured samples from some of the area’s best restaurants.

With a half-hour left, people were still lining up to nosh on fare provided by DaVinci’s, Mac’s Grill, Fuel, Uncle Troy’s and Gritty’s. Admission to the trade show was one business card.

“It’s a great deal,” said Badeau, surveying the scene.