By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Washington’s Civic Center is the place to be Sept. 30 for those who want to learn more about businesses in Beaufort County.
The Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to present the Beaufort County Business Expo 2010 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Business Expo, which is free to the public, serves as a trade show that allows businesses and nonprofit organizations to showcase the goods, services and/or programs they offer.
Catherine Glover, executive director of the chamber, said the Business Expo allows the county’s business community to interact with the community at large. This Business Expo ends later in the day that the previous two Business Expos so more people may attend it, Glover said.
Another difference between this year’s Business Expo and the previous ones will be participation by more vendors and new businesses, Glover said. Among those vendors will be some offering food to people at the Business Expo, she said.
“The big piece of this is getting people to come out to the Civic Center on that day,” Glover said.
Lentz Stowe, director of the Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College, said the Business Expo serves as a vehicle to help educate and inform consumers about local businesses and nonprofit groups.
“It’s a real good opportunity for networking,” said Stowe, who will direct one of the seminars at the Business Expo.
The third-annual Business Expo includes several free seminars. They include the following:
• Social Media 101, 11 a.m. Ken Robol will lead the seminar.
• What BCCC’s Small Business Center Can Do For You, noon. Lentz Stowe, with Beaufort County Community College’s Business and Industry Services, will direct the seminar.
• Tax Advice For Small Businesses, 1 p.m. Keith Kidwell, with the local H&R Block office, will direct the seminar.
• What SCORE Can Do for You, 2 p.m. This seminar features the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
• Legal Perspectives For Small Businesses, 3 p.m. Will Mayo, a Washington attorney, leads the seminar.
Free seminars are not the only things available at the Business Expo.
Maxim Healthcare will conduct a flu-shot clinic during the event. A flu shot will cost $30. With the presentation of an insurance card, the following insurances will be accepted: Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Medicare Part B, Aetna and Humana Gold.
Someone who visits the Business Expo will win a 19-inch flat-screen TV. Business Expo visitors and participants who register while attending the event will have a chance at winning the drawing for the TV.