MBA / FEATURE
Delaware Valley Legal Expo 2013 By Dennis R. Meakim, Esq.
O
n Wednesday, November 13, 2013, the Montgomery Bar Association and the Association of Legal Administrators Independence Chapter once again co-presented the Delaware Valley Legal Expo. The event, held at Presidential Caterers in East Norriton, featured two banquet rooms fully lined with convention booths. More than sixty companies that provide services to law firms and the legal industry used this opportunity to “show their wares” to Legal Administrators, Paralegals and Attorneys. The Expo was heavily attended throughout the four hours. Butlered hors d’oeuvres kept attendees’ hunger at bay and each room had a fully stocked bar for those wishing for refreshment. In each room, there were tables arranged for attorneys and others
to sit and chat without even leaving the presenting space. Anne L. Paisley, President of the Association of Legal Administrators Independence Chapter commented that she was pleased with the turnout and had received positive feedback from many of the vendors. More than one company indicated that the Legal Expo is their favorite event because it is so well attended and because many of the lawyers and administrators stop and spend time with them, unlike other shows where attendees barely allow exhibitors to say “hello.” Vendors enjoy the opportunity to renew a connection with their customers in a setting outside of the office space. Jacqueline Willson of M. Burr Keim Co. (proudly sporting a “baby bump”) stated that the Legal Expo is a
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chance for her and her colleagues to put faces with names and to really make a connection with their customers. Many of the attendees appreciate the gracious door prizes offered by each of the vendors in attendance. The most anticipated moment each year is when the prize board is filled out. Three poster sized boards reflect the winners of each door prize. This year the grand prize winners were Wendy Derr (Apple iPad), Carol Gerhart (Google Nexus 7), Danielle Peters (also Google Nexus 7) and the Hon. Arthur R. Tilson (Microsoft Surface 2). Next year there will be another chance for the attorneys and staff of Montgomery County’s law firms to engage with their vendors and for the attendees to have a chance at winning that grand prize.