13^th ANNUAL GALVESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS EXPO SET FOR MAY 12^th

The 13^th annual Galveston Chamber of Commerce  Business Expo is set for Thursday, May 12, from 11am-7pm in the Exhibit Hall of the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort.   The event will feature over 100 exhibits – all showcasing the Chamber’s new theme of: Galveston  - Image an Island… to Live, Work, and Play!

Utilizing the three themes, booths will be grouped with similar businesses of the same category. For example, real estate companies and condominium projects would be included in the “Live” pavilion; “Work” vendors would include banks; while companies that exhibit in the “Play” pavilion could include hotels, attractions, and recreational businesses.

Program highlights of the upcoming Expo will include two outstanding speakers. Keynote speaker will be Jim McIngvale at 12 noon, on stage in the Exhibit Hall.  Recognized as one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs, McIngvale is owner of Gallery Furniture in Houston and one of the Gulf Coast’s most sought-after public speakers.  His topic will be “Customer Service.”

At 4pm, also on stage in the Exhibit Hall,   Dr. Stowe Shoemaker, Associate Dean of Research at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel/Restaurant Management will present an informative – and timely – program about “Creating a Successful Marketing and Advertising Plan.”   Both of these exceptional programs are coordinated by the Chamber’s Education Committee.

From 5-7 pm, an  After 5 Business Mixer will be held in the Exhibit Area. Additionally, attendees can register throughout the afternoon to win door prizes and at 6pm, drawings will be held for special door prizes donated by participating vendors valued at $50 or more.  Entrants need not be present to win.

Admission to the Expo is free and the public is invited. Booths are $250 for members and $350 for non-members For more information, call the Galveston Chamber of Commerce at 409-763-5326.  The Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis is located at 5600 Seawall Blvd, with complimentary parking available in the Convention Center garage (entrance 57^th and Seawall Blvd.)