MARSHALL TWP, Allegheny County — Informational booths lined the banquet hall in Four Points Sheraton Pittsburgh North Monday afternoon during the 2008 Business Showcase.

Despite the economy in a downturn, more than 80 companies operated booths featuring their products and services.

The event was organized by the Butler County, Cranberry Area and the Zelienople-Harmony chambers of commerce and was the fourth year the three chambers joined together to give their memberships an opportunity to introduce themselves to other chamber members and the public.

Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, said, "It's a way to advertise from a business-to-business standpoint. It's a way to get exposure to new businesses in Butler County and to encourage our members to do business within Butler County if they can."

He said when the economy is bad, the last thing a business wants to do is cut advertising, because if customers don't think about you, they're not going to do business with you.

"It's cheaper to retain a client than it is to get a new one," he said.

Nonprofit organizations, such as Total Business Butler, offer services to businesses to find solutions to problems and to better help identify growth opportunities.

Allen Alson said the nonprofit group started up in September to help businesses get their names out to the public in Allegheny and Butler counties.

Judy Tonya, site coordinator for Park Place, a Cranberry Township neighborhood development, was at the event to introduce the community to a new development concept that will be available.

"We're out to get the word out that the plan is up and running," said Tonya, who added that nine speculation homes will begin construction next week.

Heather Rodgers of General Rental Center on Route 19 in Cranberry, said she came to the event because she is a member and tries to support the Cranberry chamber events.

"Typically, we go to shows like this. We're always hoping to get some business (from it)," Rodgers said. "It's about meeting people, networking and creating new contacts."

Dr. Erin Greiner of Cranberry Family Chiropractic said she tries to get to community events like this and help people with some of their problems, such as allergies and headaches.

Jerry Schad, owner of JD's Popcorn, which is based in Cranberry, said his venture is a small business and an event such as the business showcase gives him an opportunity to talk with bigger businesses not just in Cranberry, but from both the Butler and Zelienople areas.

"These are the people I want to do business with," Schad said, adding those businesses can take his gourmet popcorn and give it to their clients as a way of saying "thank you" or as a gift.