Manassas, Virginia – Last week more than 1,000 members of the business community and the public walked through the doors of the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center in Manassas for the 13th annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Connections Tradeshow. The event is a showcase products and services offered in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. This year the show also featured Innovation Stations, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, encouraging attendees to learn more about innovative products and services in the region.
Two community members walked away as prize winners. Jessica Pereira won $500 courtesy of Prize Sponsor 95 Express Lanes. Valerie Becker won the Innovation Station prize pack.
“In a time when many Chambers of Commerce have had to stop hosting a community tradeshow due to lack of interest, it was truly amazing to see so many members of our community come out in support of local businesses,” said Chamber President & CEO Debbie Jones. “The energy in the room was phenomenal. People got to try out food from new restaurants The Bone and Zandra’s Taqueria. They met the people behind logos we see everywhere, like My Plumber Heating & Cooling and Yellow Cab Taxi & Sedan Service. For anyone who was interested there were five different massage therapists that people could talk to regarding treatment, and even try them out with a free seated massage. There really is so much power in making these kinds of personal connections. Many don’t realize it, but that’s a big part of why our Chamber exists, to facilitate those connections.”
Businesses put their best foot forward at the event, vying for attention among over 90 vendors. Awards were given to three companies for Best Marketing Message: My Plumber Heating & Cooling; Most Creative: Apple Federal Credit Union; Best Overall: Victoria Park Apartments & Townhomes.
TML-A Xerox Company simulated “The Price is Right” experience at their booth to demonstrate how their managed printing services can save businesses hundreds of dollars a year on ink. Osbourn Park High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team captains brought their competition robot to demonstrate what they have learned and how they operate their robot. The kids also used the show as a networking opportunity as they seek corporate sponsors. Novant Health was on hand with their mobile mammography bus and the Red Cross showed off the capabilities of their emergency response vehicles.
Sponsors for Connections 2014 included Presenting Sponsors: Logis-Tech, Inc.-Computer Services, American Red Cross, My Plumber Heating & Cooling; Associate Sponsor: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center; Community Partner: Prince William Times/Gainesville Times; Education Vision Partner: Minnieland Academy; Business Growth Vision Partner: Comcast and Exhibitor Lounge Sponsor: Chick-fil-A. Participating food vendors included: Bad to the Bone Smokehouse, Chick-fil-A, Glory Day’s Grill, PF Chang’s, Uno Chicago Grill and Zandra’s Taqueria.
To view the photo album from the event, visit facebook.com/pwchamber.
Chamber Board members Roy Beckner, S.W. Rodgers Company (far left) and Patty Baisden , QMT Windchimes (far right) crown My Plumber Heating & Cooling with the award for “Best Marketing Message” at Connections 2014. Pictured from My Plumber are Barbara Rowdon (center left) and Laureanne Venter (center right).
A massage therapist from Haymarket’s Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa gives free chair massages to patrons at Connections 2014.
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About the Prince William Chamber of Commerce:
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is the strongest voice for the business community in the Washington, DC Metropolitan region. Together with our diverse membership, representing nearly 70,000 employees we work to create an environment where business and people thrive. To accomplish this, we focus our efforts in the key areas of business growth, economic development, advocacy, education and community outreach. In this way, we are building a solid foundation for the success of our business members and our community. For more information, visit our website at www.pwchamber.org or call the Prince William Chamber at 703-368-6600.
