Mix and mingle at the Business Showcase


A business booth all set to receive clients at the Danville Business Showcase

The Danville area nurtures a great deal of creative and cutting-edge entrepreneurship. With businesses that run the gamut from food and finance to medicine and marketing. Everything you need and more, right in your very own neighborhood!

The 15th Annual Business Showcase, Food & Wine Event at the Blackhawk Plaza will be the perfect venue to get acquainted with many of these area businesses. Presented by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, this well-attended event will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2006.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to learn first-hand about the businesses,” says Melony Newman, President and CEO of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. Newman also emphasizes the immense networking potential of an event like this. Over a hundred businesses, all Chamber members, are expected to participate in the showcase this year. It’s an eagerly anticipated event, providing a forum for display and discussion in an informal setting.

The open-air ambience of the Blackhawk Plaza with its lush landscaping and gorgeous fountain is the total antithesis of the crowded, cubicle-environment you find at indoor trade shows. Blackhawk Plaza’s inside corridors will host the approximately 100 businesses participants, with each one allotted an 8-ft covered, skirted table for display.

The Showcase Sponsors for 2006 will receive priority space in the Rotunda area. They include Blackhawk Plaza, Comerica Bank, San Ramon Valley Times and The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Medical Association. Business Sponsors for 2006 are the Blackhawk Real Estate Company, Danville Weekly, Mechanics Bank and WineStyles.

What makes the Business Showcase, Food & Wine Event extra-special is the food and wine tasting that enhance the party atmosphere. Local restaurants vie with each other to present an assortment of mouth-watering delicacies to tempt the palate. Enjoy a taste of California, Mexico, Italy, Japan and more. “It’s wonderful chance to try different kinds of cuisine,” says Newman “And they all love participating.” The wine tasting at the event will be sponsored by Four Vines and WineStyles.

A second business booth all set to receive clients at the Danville Business Showcase

Kathy Ollerdessen, owner of Jewels in Disguise participated in the event last year and was thrilled with the response she received. “It drove a lot of business,” she explains. “The networking that goes on is incredible!” Ollerdessen plans to be there again this year with a representative display of her beautiful merchandise. The 50% off section always draws attention but she is sure the custom-designed freshwater pearls/stone necklaces and chokers will also be a big hit. “We had an eclectic mix of visitors,” she says “ They were really intrigued by what they saw and came back to the store later.”

And that is exactly the kind of response that the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce hopes to elicit. We are told that every year businesses return to participate in this event as it has proved beneficial to their bottom line.

“We focus on a local approach” says Bob Combs , real estate agent with Alain Pinel in Danville and Chairman of the 15th Annual Business Showcase, Food & Wine Event. “We want to expose people to new happenings in town… services and businesses that they may not even be aware of,” says Combs. With the LPGA scheduled to come to town September 21-24, this year’s event will have a golf theme. Enjoy golf-oriented décor, prizes and raffles, etc. at this year’s event.

Matt Akabane, owner of Tassajara Nursery in Danville, participated in the Business Showcase, Food & Wine Event for the first time in 2005. “It was a great experience, very worthwhile,” he says . His colorful display that included different kinds of plants and trees attracted many visitors. The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce is anticipating many more interesting participants at this year’s event too. Chairman Bob Combs would like to invite people to come out to the Blackhawk Plaza on September 13, 2006 and experience it all for themselves. Says Combs, “It’s such a great opportunity, we’re having such great weather, we’d love for everyone to come!” 

Philippa Coelho
Business Showcase, Food & Wine Event
September 13, 2006 from 5.00 to 8.00 pm
Hosted by
Blackhawk Plaza

Presented by
Danville Area Chamber of Commerce
To reserve space for your business or for more information, call 925-837-4400 or visit www.danvillecachamber.com

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