Marco Business Expo

For years – or decades – the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce held an annual business expo, giving companies and nonprofits the chance to display their wares and services to the public. The tradition came to an end with the Covid scare, but the event is back, with a new location and a new co-sponsor. 

“The noontime Rotary came to us and said they wanted to do this,” said chamber executive director Dianna Dohm. “It came together on a shoestring, and we had a great turnout from exhibitors.”  

About 45 vendors or organizations exhibited in the fellowship hall at Naples Presbyterian Church during Thursday’s expo, space that was donated by the church and its lead pastor, Scott Kerens. Dohm and Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club president Sue Haviland made the rounds of the exhibitor spaces with microphone in hand, giving the vendors a chance to speak and promote their offerings.  

There was a wide range of exhibitors, but certain categories proliferated. There were several law firms, several senior care facilities, a number of investment advisors, four or more building-related businesses, and a group of boat tour and recreational activities providers.  

According to Dohm, there were “about 75 members of the community” who found the expo on its quiet residential street. With most of the vendors staffed by more than one individual, that meant more exhibitors than attendees.  

That wasn’t such a problem, said Deb Henry of the Rotary Club, who along with Haviland, took the lead in organizing the event on the Rotary side.  

“The value we got out of this was talking to one another,” she said, pointing out that the attendees were prime candidates for Rotary membership. “It’s a great opportunity to network with other businesses.”  

The high proportion of vendors also dramatically raised the exhibitors’ chances of winning one of the door prizes offered by their fellows. The representatives of Families of Grace, aka Lift the Fog, who provide Narcan to fight drug overdoses, both won a print and mug from Ben Ramsey and a gift basket from Edward Jones. 

Volunteer team leader Sandra Monson of NCH promoted service opportunities at the new NCH facility, and Joe Nolan of CKS Engineers and the Rotary used his time to spread the word about Flags for Heroes and their two upcoming events. Bob Ladd of WVOI 98.1 FM offered “we will advertise your nonprofit for free” to all the worthy charitable organizations.  

The chamber’s next event will be the Christmas Business after Five at the Hilton hotel on Wednesday, December 17, with proceeds shared with Christmas Island Style, said Dohm.