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Seguin Showcase begins with Thursday preview
Published March 11, 2009
SEGUIN — The annual Business Showcase, sponsored by the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, has changed names.
Luckily, it’s nothing like Lew Alcindor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — in fact, it’s more along the lines of Coca-Cola to Coca-Cola Classic.
The event will now be known as the Seguin Showcase, but it will still feature all of the same activities on Thursday and Friday at the Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum — with a few new additions thrown in.
The theme of this year’s expo will be “Spring into Green,” and for the first time it will offer a special home and garden section, catering to those who have a love of the outdoors. Of course, that’s not the only reason that the word “green” is an accurate one.
“We’re kind of focusing on the green movement,” said Dana Overstreet, communications director for the chamber. “But we’re also focusing on money (for local businesses).”
Another new focus will be on the kids, as they will still be clinging to the last few moments of Spring Break during show day, which is from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday.
The chamber has taken steps to make sure that they don’t get bored, adding games and other activities to keep little hands occupied.
“We used to have another event that had children’s activities, and we thought this was a great way to bring them in,” Overstreet said. “It’s Spring Break, so we thought maybe some families will bring their kids out. There will be plenty of stuff to do, for example, the Master Gardeners will be there for some activities.”
But before Friday’s main event, the showcase will again get started with a special preview night, which will be held Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. As past participants know, this is traditionally a time when those in attendance cut loose a bit, turning their attention from business to the booths.
“It really has a little bit more of an informal party atmosphere,” Overstreet said. “It’s called the sneak peek, and that’s when we do the decorated booth competition. People might dress up a little more in their booths that night. It’s amazing what people come up with.”
This year, the event has expanded from being housed in just the coliseum, stretching into the Women’s Building, the Dance Slab, other parts of the Seguin Events Complex. Hot air balloon rides will again be featured on Friday, as will past showcase staples such as seminars, food and beverages, and some very nice door prizes.
“I know that we have two grand prizes,” Overstreet said. “We have a huge, flat-screen TV, all ready for HD conversion, being donated, and that’s the price of your show day ticket, is entry into that drawing. And in the same drawing is a hand-crafted coffee table.”
Featured businesses often have their own giveaways to promote themselves and to get people to come out and participate in the showcase. But another reason why the event is so popular is because it gives local businesses a chance to mix and mingle, which is always one of the chamber’s main objectives.
“The goal of it is to make the public aware that we have these businesses and organizations in our own community — they don’t have to go out of town to get these services,” Overstreet said. “Also for the businesses to also meet each other because you get so busy in your own world. The chamber’s mission is to help our members prosper, so this is just one way we do that.”
And the showcase often delivers on its premise. The addition of a fun atmosphere to the potentially awkward networking process provides a much easier avenue for people to meet and talk with one another.
“It’s a nice, non-intimidating way for you to maybe get to know somebody where you won’t have to make an appointment to go to their office and talk to them,” Overstreet said. “You can just walk up to their booth.”
Tickets for Thursday night’s preview must be purchased in advance, and are $20, while tickets for Friday are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. They can be purchased either from the chamber — 116 N. Camp Street — or from any chamber ambassador. More information is available by calling (830) 379-6382.
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