Business & Tech
Open-Air Healdsburg Chamber Trade Show a Hit
Dozens network, sample food and wine, kick up some dust at the 2012 Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Trade Show
bold experiment to move this year's annual tradeshow from the to a covered but open-air lot at appears to have paid off.
"This is great, having it here," said attendee of Healdsburg, a modular homes sales representative. "The open-air is nice, there's a lot of space. I like it here."
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Unciano, husband of Healdsburg art gallery and jewelry store owner was one of dozens who poured into the free three-hour event to sample food and wares from about 50 local businesses and organizations.
"The businesses here are telling me they're thrilled with it here," said "They're saying it's more like a home expo and they like the extra space. I'm hearing good things."
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Empire Boat and RV Storage donated the space, according to McElroy, adding that the storage company has been "very supportive," she said.
The weather also cooperated, with the overcast skies on Wednesday holding back any rain until later in the evening when the tradeshow was over.
"We pushed it back from March to mid-April this year," McElroy said. "If we have it here next year, I think I would push it back even more so that we're sure of having sunshine."
The networking event took on a down-home feel with the Empire lot's dirt floors, casual infrastructure decor and background of massive boats and RVs. Numerous dogs were also in attendance, including a small group of adoptable canines from
"We're having an adoption special this month," said HAS volunteer Colleen Walsh. "It's a $50 adoption fee for a dog or a cat."
a former teacher who is recovering from a stroke, was volunteering for the Chamber at the tradeshow to help out people manning the booths.
"I'm just working with them (at the booths), to help them with anything they need, said Webster, who is also volunteering for the and as the first stroke patient "Sharegiver" at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa.
Webster was stationed Wednesday at the booth, where Bob Johnson and Jaz Fabry were busy promoting this Friday's "Passport Artwalk."
On Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m., 18 Healdsburg art galleries and will host "Passport Artwalk" in downtown Healdsburg, in conjunction with the wineries' event.
Webster, meanwhile, said she has expanded her activities since through a special friend and supporter. The car was rehabbed by Healdsburg's
"I'm doing well," Webster said. "I'm liking my car."
McElroy said she didn't know if the Chamber would be invited to return to the Empire space next year, but she "would love to come back," she said. "I'm having a great time."
At Healdsburg Patch's booth, several dozen people dropped their business cards into a basket to raffle off a bottle of wine. The winner was Mark "Wally" Walsh, project manager at Johnson Controls in Santa Rosa.
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