Sample, compare, brainstorm at expo

One-stop shopping can be as important to businesspeople as it is to consumers.

So, when about 250 Pikes Peak-region businesses gather Thursday for the 24th annual Springs Business Expo, they'll have the opportunity to meet one another, sample new products and exchange ideas - all under one roof.

Hey, it's better than a couple of hundred power lunches, and nobody has to wrangle over who will pick up the check.

The Springs Business Expo, presented by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, will feature about 250 booths manned by Springarea businesses, said Jenifer Furda, the chamber's vice president of events.

About 2,000 attendees are expected throughout the day, she said. The expo isn't limited to the business community; members of the public are invited to attend, as well.

"When you have 250 businesses next to each other, you can go to one copier place and talk to them and then go to another copier place," Furda said. "You can shop and compare.

"It's a great place to gutcheck what's going on in Colorado Springs, meet new people and catch up with old friends and businesspeople."

Amnet Inc., a Springsbased computer network consultant, will sponsor the appearance of a Microsoft Across America Truck - a technology showroom on wheels.

Expo participants can stroll through the truck and examine software and hardware applications such as Microsoft Office Professional Edition, Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System. The 42-footlong truck will be parked inside the Expo Center.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0228 or rich.laden@gazette.com  

DETAILS

What: Springs Business Expo, where about 250 area businesses will display products and services

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop, near Chapel Hills Mall and Wal-Mart in northern Colorado Springs

Cost: Free to online registrants who sign up before noon Wednesday; $10 after and at the door

More information: Call 635-1551 or visit www.coloradospringschamber.org and click on "calendar of events."