MOBILE, Alabama – The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual networking extravaganza Thursday, and this year’s festivities boast more than eight hours of resource-gathering and elbow-rubbing opportunities.

The day’s events begin with a sold-out luncheon featuring Alabama Commerce Chief Greg Canfield and sponsored by Mobile’s Aker Solutions. Canfield is expected to address the state’s latest economic development strategies and trends as well as Mobile’s role in Alabama’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain industry.

The main event, however, follows immediately at 1 p.m. as the 2013 Business Expo is expected to attract some 200 exhibitors and more than 2,000 attendees to the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

A variety of local, state and federal resource partners will be integrated among exhibitors to assist small business owners with management, financial, procurement, marketing and technical assistance. Those partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE and the Alabama Career Center.

Admission is free with a business card, but only chamber members and the above-mentioned guests are allowed to participate as exhibitors in the five-hour expo. Sponsors include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Made in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, ABS Business System, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, BIS Office Systems, Callis Communications, DailyAccess Corp., Devin Ford Photography, HUB International Gulf South, PNC Bank and YP Local Search, Media & Advertising.

And finally, the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel will host Expo After Hours – replacing the chamber’s regularly scheduled Business After Hours – from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, but free passes will be available at the expo.

 Posted August 20, 2013