DeDivahDeals

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Posts Tagged ‘small businesses in Delaware’

8th Annual MACCDE Spring Expo

8th Annual MACCDE Spring Expo

Last Thursday I attended the 8th Annual Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo held at the Townsend Fire Hall.

The Fire Hall was filled with tables of more than 95 business owners ranging from AHDTV Network to Uncle Mike’s Ice Cream and Water Ice.  As a new member of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce I was there representing ABlake Enterprises, Social Media Management & Consulting and was able to share a table with my partners, Mike, Trisha and Ari Fox of Splash DesignWorks.

Me and the Fox family

It was a beautifully bright day which drew a huge crowd of more than 1000 attendees, young and old alike including some very adorable young entrepreneurs who were sharing the table with their parents.

Entreprenuer at the Expo

 

Balloons, Banners, Chair Massages, and Giveaways added to the excitement of this fun and festive family event.  I have lived in Middletown for over 23 years and had never attended an Expo which is now in it’s 8th year, I will however, never miss another one! 

Expo Entrance

The 2016 MACCDE Spring Expo was not only a great place to network and connect with local businesses in the area, it was also a great venue to see old friends and meet new ones.  

networking and meeting new friends

Sipping on freshly made lemonade from Bahama Breeze and noshing on a pasta and shrimp dish from Pat’s Select was the highlight of my day.  However, for the winners of the many door prizes ranging from a Flat Screen TV to a month of FREE food, I’m sure it was probably an even better one for them.

Pat's Select Middletown

The little ones who stood quietly by their parent’s side were also treated to food and fun.  Goodies including slices of pizza, sweet treats of personalized cookies, cupcakes, and water ice.  Giveaways and chatskis such as glow in the dark pacifier necklaces, Frisbees and free passes to the Dover Skating Center also delighted them.

MACCDE Expo

Appo Sweets

And for the bigger kids adults who also stood quietly in line they too were treated to sweet treats – samples of wines from Kreston Wine & Liquors and Crow Farm & Vineyard.

Wine Time at the Expo

Obviously, there were too many businesses to name them all in this post, but here are the names and slides of just a few.  The full list can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce’s website.

Spring Expo Slide Show 3

  • Elite Feet

  • Glasgow Medical Center

  • STAM

  • Back Creek Golf Club & Grille

Spring Expo Slide Show 2

  • Moore Seal, Inc.

  • Middletown Chiropractor

  • Westown Movies

  • Sherms Catering

  • Middletown Transcript

Middletown Transcript

I had a great time taking pictures, recording a Periscope and collecting business cards.  I can’t wait to attend next year’s 9th Annual MACCDE Spring Expo!

 

8th Annual Expo

 

Spring Expo Slide Show 1

 

Have you ever attended a business expo?

 

 

 


Delaware’s Small Business Summit 2014

Welcome to the Small Business Summit Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”

Social Media and Small Businesses goes hand in hand, which is why I was anxious to be in attendance.  I wanted to meet small business owners who might be interested in learning more about Social Media and Blogging and how it can attract more consumers thereby, increasing their bottom line.

DeDivahDeals brochures

The doors to the Summit opened at 7:30 am, and on this bitterly cold day, the hot Continental Breakfast Buffet was definitely a warm and welcomed delight.  At each place setting was a copy of Delaware Business Times, the agenda and a personalized Stylus Pen.

Small Business Summit Takeaways

There were well over 300 attendees and the agenda was jam packed with valuable information with sets of panelist who provided insights on how small businesses can increase their profits, gain more exposure and the programs available to all regardless of disabilities, race, or gender.

Attendees

After a brief introduction by Ken Anderson, Director of DEDO, and a few words from both the Mayor of Dover, Robin Christensen and Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, the first set of panelist were seated to discuss Prospects for Delaware Small Businesses NOW and in the Future.

Mr. Ken Anderson

Ken Anderson, Director, DEDO

Delaware's Small Business Summit

Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, DEDO Robin Christensen, Mayor of Dover

Panelist

Between sessions, Mr. Anderson acknowledged various members in the audience and awarded several door prizes.

The second set of panelist discussed Challenges and Opportunities-Business Ownership and Employment for Individuals with Disabilities. 

 

Door Prize Recipient

Carrie Dennis-Mayer, door prize winner Dust Away Cleaning Services, Inc.

The final session of this half day program was presented by Michelle Morin, Executive Director, DE Office of Supplier Diversity.  Her topic, Small Business Focus Program-Implication and Opportunities for Small Businesses of a Certain Size Regardless of Race or Gender, was very informative and sometimes entertaining.

Michelle Morin

The Summit concluded with Keynote Speaker, Governor Jack Markell who spoke about his signing of Executive Order 44 and the innovative ways in which Delaware seeks to keep the economy moving forward by providing assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

This was especially evident with the many entrepreneurs in attendance who have taken part in Project Pop-Up, which provides 3 months of rent-free space in downtown Wilmington.

Governor Jack Markell & Executive Order 44

Governor Jack Markell Executive Order 44

The Delaware Small Business Summit was a wonderful opportunity for small business owners to network and share as well as receive vital information that will not only help them succeed but will also help keep the economy in the state of Delaware strong.

Popup Entrepreneurs

 

Jahmira from 29Eleven Governor Markell DeDivah Gov. Markell and Small Business Owners

 Does your state have programs for Small Business owners and entrepreneurs?

Hotel Lobby 2

Dover Downs Hotel Lobby fully decorated for the season