A number of Central Alberta businesses with limited public exposure will have the opportunity to showcase their goods and services next month.
The Small Business Expo is scheduled to run Oct. 13 and 14 in the Prairie Pavilion at Westerner Park. It will feature a variety of businesses, with the Red Deer Business Networking Group behind the show.
“In our group, a lot of our members are home-based businesses,” said Jerry Anderson, who operates Jass Sunglasses and Collectibles, and is helping to organize the expo.
But the exhibitors will include many other businesses, with some coming from as far away as Edmonton and Calgary, he said.
“I opened it up to everybody, and quite honestly this year half or better are non-members.”
In addition displaying the products and services of various businesses, the Small Business Expo will feature a cowboy poet, children’s yoga classes, an inflatable play structure and possibly a fashion show, said Anderson.
Admission is free, but donations to Ronald McDonald House and the Red Deer Food Bank Society will be accepted. The Canadian Cancer Society’s Jail-N-Bail fundraiser will also be promoted.
A similar event was held in June 2011, said Anderson. But that one-day expo was hurt by the fact it took place on a Saturday and had to compete for attention against the Red Deer public market.
Hours for the 2012 Small Business Expo will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Exhibitor space remains, with information available by calling Anderson at 403-986-1655.