SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Business-to-Business Expo is moving to a new setting this year, to be hosted at the Gideon Putnam in the Saratoga Spa State Park on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the expo will run from 3:30 to 6 p.m., and is expected to attract exhibitors from a wide range of fields and industries. Chamber president Todd Shimkus said it is one of the largest business-to-business networking events in the region annually.
“This is one of our signature events,” Shimkus said. “This is one of those events that a lot of people look forward to.”
Shimkus noted that exhibitors range from fields such as healthcare, food service, retail, professional services, and much more, saying, “It’s really all over the map.”
Around 100 exhibitors are expected at this year’s event. Shimkus also noted they expect roughly “a few hundred” attendees who will visit the Expo for its plentiful networking opportunities.
“Whether you’re an exhibitor, or an attendee, everybody is there to network, so it’s not like you have to sell,” said Shimkus. “People want to learn about the different businesses that are there. They’re looking to find people that they can purchase other goods and services from locally. They’re looking for partnership opportunities. They’re looking for collaborative promotions that might be done in the future. This is really about building a community of businesses for the benefit of everyone.”
A post-expo mixer will also be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., according to a press release from the Chamber.
The Business-to-Business Expo is free for all to attend with a business card, with the release encouraging attendees to register in advance. Shimkus also noted the new location at the Gideon Putnam allows for tabletop displays, which he said can be easier and less expensive for businesses to set up.
“It’s an opportunity for us to lower the cost for people to participate, and to try a great, historic venue, and hopefully get a few more small businesses than we’ve had in the past,” said Shimkus.
“There’s no items there for consumers to come and buy,” he added. “This is really about businesses trying to partner with, and learn about, other businesses in the community.”
More information on the 2023 Saratoga County Business-to-Business Expo is available at saratoga.org.
