Business expo draws crowd
WARRENDALE — Rows of vendors filled the Four Points Sheraton Pittsburgh North's banquet room and spilled out into the hallway Monday at THE CHAMBER of Commerce's annual business exposition.
The Neighborhood Business Expo, in its third year, sold out its booths with more than 140 vendors.
Those booths were visited by more than 1,000 people throughout the afternoon and evening, checking out businesses' products and services.
Susan Balla, THE CHAMBER's executive director, said a number of new businesses were featured at the expo. It also increased its number of sponsorships from the previous year.
“The event is becoming a who's who for businesses in this part of the region,” said Balla.
“It's a good cross section of businesses here with the franchises, professional groups and food vendors.”
Prizes were given away every 15 minutes to attendees in addition to the raffle prizes that vendors offered.
There also was a Neighborhood Block Party that included a cash bar and restaurant samplings.
“Doing Business with the People You Can Trust” was the theme.
The money raised from the event helps fund THE CHAMBER's programs and services to its membership of more than a 1,000.
Chuck Caputy, lead generator for Home Depot on Dutilh Road in Cranberry, said Home Depot wants to be an active member in the community and participate in these types of events.
“The Neighborhood Expo has been a very successful event for us,” he said. “We're here to show people how we can help them with their home improvement projects.”
For Sean Fitzpatrick of Sir Pizza, which is in a plaza at the intersection of Commonwealth Drive and Freedom Road in Cranberry, the expo is a way to continue to introduce the franchise to the community.
“We're a newer business to the area and are trying to expose ourselves to the Cranberry market,” said Fitzpatrick.
He touted that the business is going to begin home delivery on April 1.
“The franchise is very popular in the North Hills. We want to show people how successful our product is,” said Fitzpatrick.
Representatives from Candlewood Suites, a hotel on Route 19 in the southern section of Cranberry, were at the event for the first time this year.
The hotel opened just eight months ago on the site of the former Oak Leaf Motel.
“We're a brand new hotel, and we're new to the area. We're here to make some contacts and get involved in the area,” said Amber Conrad, guest services representative from the Candlewood Suites hotel.
