west valley
Volume 28 Issue 45 Avondale, AZ
August 16, 2017
West Valley chambers plot Biz 2 Biz Expo ByConnorDziawura
IN THE BIZ
Building connections is key in the business world, and this month, connecting will get easier for local companies. The six West Valley chambers of commerce will unite to host the Biz 2 Biz West Valley Expo at the Glendale Civic Center, from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 24. Attendance is free for the general public, while exhibitors must be a West Valley chamber member. Major corporations and local momand-pop establishments will attend, according to John Safin, president and CEO of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. More than 400 visitors attended last year’s convention at The Wigwam Ballroom in Litchfield Park. “Everybody who’s got a stake in the game in the West Valley will be there,” he said. “(Local businesses) have two audiences. Obviously the public walking around gets them exposure and connections, but they can also make business contacts with other chambers of commerce.” The six participating chambers – Buckeye, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise Regional, Wickenburg and Southwest Valley – make up the West Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance. Surprise Regional covers El Mirage, Sun City,
Sun City West, Surprise and Youngtown, while Southwest Valley includes Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson. “Everybody in the room knows the value of being part of a chamber of commerce,” Safin said. “You have somebody who’s already willing to talk. You have something in common. So a lot of connections are made between the businesses as well as the community.” Businesses feature a variety of products at the expo and they provide guests with information about their companies. Other establishments will feature raffles and some restaurants may provide food samples. Exhibit spaces are $250 until August 23. The expo will also provide businesses with electricity at $65 per table. More than 100 businesses have signed up to exhibit, including Wreck Check Car Scan of Arizona, The Haymaker Restaurant Co., Goodyear Ballpark, The Honey Foundation and Con-
If you go Biz 2 Biz 17 West Valley Expo 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 24 Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale 623-932-2260 Free admission (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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tracted Driver Services. The six chambers offer a multitude of membership investment packets that give businesses the chance to make connections and grow. Participating in events like Biz 2 Biz West Valley Expo is one benefit, Safin said. The Southwest Valley Chamber’s membership packages range from $125 to $5,000 per year, depending on the level of benefits desired. Benefits include a company page on the chamber’s website and access to ribbon cuttings, speaking roles at chamber breakfasts and invitations to chamber legislative events. But while this may seem like a highly professional event, all residents are welcome to attend, meet their local businesses and build connections within the community they live. “I encourage the entire public to come out to Biz 2 Biz, walk around and see the businesses that drive the economy in the West Valley,” Safin said.
Mailing Address: 250 Litchfield Rd., #130 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 535-VIEW • 535-8439
Steven Strickbine, publisher Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, editor Connor Dziawura, Assistant Editor
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