January 19, 2006
For Immediate Release

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Hosts Trade Show Profitability Training Session

Millbury, MA The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a free trade show profitability training seminar for businesses located in the Blackstone River Valley. The event took place at the Millbury Public Library and was attended by more than twenty-five (25) individuals representing a wide range of business expertise.

According to Jeff Ritter, Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, "this is another example of how the Chamber is actively working with the business community to provide timely and affordable training to assist small and medium size businesses in making effective presentations at trade shows. The event was particularly timely because the Chamber is sponsoring our annual Blackstone Valley Home and Business Expo on Saturday, March 4th from 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. at the Northbridge High School. Last year, this event attracted more than five thousand (5,000) people. When a business presents itself at a trade show it is critically important that they get their message across in an effective and positive way. This training was an excellent start in achieving that goal," Ritter said.

Carole Donovan, President, Image Boosters and Jason Kallio, President, Say It With MAGIC did the presentation and led a lively group discussion about lessons learned at local, regional and national trade shows. According to Susan Lange, a home based travel consultant with Travel Solutions, "attending was time well spent to gather new ideas for working at trade shows. The presentations validated the importance of qualifying potential clients and following up on leads from a trade show."

Guy Webb, Executive Director, Associated Builders of Central Massachusetts said "he found presenters very experienced and realized that pre-planning and follow-up after trade shows to be critically important." Lynda Rispoli, Marketing Assistant, Consigli Construction Co., Inc., said "I found the seminar to be highly informative and interesting. Not only did I gather many great ideas, but I now have a formal approach to prepare for our next trade show. This was my first event sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and I look forward to attending more."

Ritter said, "the Chamber staff are working very hard to bring new and exciting programs to the membership, and this is simply one small example of many new relationships we are building throughout the Valley."

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About the Chamber

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the Blackstone River Valley's eleven member towns in Massachusetts: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. The mission of the chamber is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley, meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley.