An excellent expo: Business event brings companies to the community

By Savannah Morning News
Created 2010-07-20 00:18
Linda Sickler
Business was booming at the Pooler Business and Consumer Expo. A large crowd turned out July 15 to see what companies in the area have to offer.

The expo was held at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Many vendors offered special deals during the expo, and some sponsored giveaways.

“We’ve had a nice, steady stream coming in,” said Karen Robertson of the Pooler Chamber of Commerce. “We even had some early arrivals who were here at 5:15 p.m.”

Robertson said the variety of vendors who participated was particularly thrilling. “It’s fabulous,” she said. “We’re sold out with vendors.

“This is only our second time to do this,” Robertson said. “The chamber did one last year, and there was one five or six years ago.

“As people heard about this one, interest has grown,” she said. “The comment we’re hearing most from vendors is that the numbers are up over last year.”

In all, 23 vendors turned out. “It’s everything from banking, healthcare to spas, real estate, travel, entertainment – a very good variety,” Robertson said.

The expo gave vendors a chance to advertise, and customers an opportunity to find products and services. “We’re talking to everyone about our services,” said Patty Anderson of the GeoVista Credit Union.

“We’re here to educate the public about Hospice Savannah,” said Sarah Copeland, community outreach coordinator for Hospice Savannah. “We cover five counties – Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty and Long.”

While most people are familiar with Hospice Savannah, they’re not aware of all the services it provides, Copeland said. “People are unfamiliar with Full Circle, which provides bereavement services,” she said. “It is open to anyone who has had a loss.”

Heather Parks of Holiday Inn was surprised at the number of people who came for the expo. “The hotel business is vital to our economy,” she said.

Jacquie Stein is a territory licensee/manager with NuBarter, a Savannah-based online bartering company, whose members trade goods and services for other businesses’ goods and services. NuBarter members barter their goods and services to increase sales, reduce cash expenditures and increase profits.

“We’re the largest trade exchange in the Southeast,” Stein said. “We bring added visibility and revenue to our members.”

Events such as the expo are important for businesspeople and community members to network, Stein said. “Every new contact in worthwhile,” she said. “We are trying to educate businesspeople on the benefits of bartering.”

Sarah Sherman of Savannah Commons Retirement Community said this was her company’s first event in Pooler and an opportunity to show the community what it has to offer. “We’re encouraging everyone to come over and take a look at us,” she said.

Sandy Downs of Beazer Homes is a member of the Pooler chamber. “This is the first time we’ve done this,” she said. “I’m really happy with the way everything is set up here.”

Beazer Homes builds houses that range in price from $130,000 to $180,000 and, despite the tough economy, the company is thriving. “All our homes are built with energy efficiency in mind,” Downs said.

Plans already are under way for another expo next year. “We want it to be bigger and better each year,” Robertson said. “We want our vendors to know they have the perfect opportunity to show people what they have.”

Contact:            Gary Field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 912-233-0808
Cell Phone: 912-631-6808
eMail:  Gary@NuBarter.com

BARTER LEADERS MERGE TO OFFER MORE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES
Barter dollars go farther as NuBarter and Barter Brokers International join forces
(July 2010) Savannah, GA based NuBarter (www.NuBarter.com) and Charleston, SC based Barter Brokers International (www.BarterBrokers.com) announce that they will join forces creating the largest barter marketplace in the Southeast. Barter Brokers International, a 16 year veteran with offices in Mount Pleasant, SC, has a membership base throughout North and South Carolina. NuBarter, based in Savannah GA, has offices across Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina with members totaling over 2000 in a wide variety of industries.

“We are excited to leverage BBI’s longevity in the SC/NC region and look for the integration between the two marketplaces to be complete by early to mid August of this year” said Gary Field, CEO of NuBarter.

As for joining forces with NuBarter, Bill Bailey, President of BBI, is thrilled to be able to extend the NuBarter network to his existing client base.  “Over the past 16 years we have seen tremendous growth in the barter community. Our joint mission is to continue to provide an effective way to increase sales, reduce cash expenditures and increase profits for our members.”

About NuBarter:
Established in 2002, NuBarter assists businesses in attaining new cash customers, increasing cash flow and profitability, reducing cash expenditures and saving companies’ needed cash reserves. Unlike other barter companies, NuBarter monitors the fair market value of goods and services  to avoid potential pitfalls and monitors member accounts to assists in the formation of a barter strategy, including  their goals and objectives, to insure the success of their transactions. NuBarter was the 2009 runner up in Forbes Magazine’s, “Boost Your Business Contest” and the 2010 winner of the Savannah Small Business Chamber’s “Business of the Year”.

About Barter Brokers, International
Founded in 1994, BBI has representation in Charleston, Columbia, Savannah, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC. BBI is a well established trade exchange in The Carolinas. BBI helps its member companies enhance their businesses through exchange of products and services instead of making cash disbursements.

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If you would like more information about this topic please call Gary at (912) 233-0808 or email Gary at Gary@NuBarter.com

My name is June Collins and I am the President of Virtual June, LLC/Media Schmedia.  I became a member of NuBarter because I wanted to take the Fundamentals of Business  class with New Management Solutions.  This class lead me to opportunities that I never dreamed of. One being working the social media campaign for NuBarter in the Forbes Boost Your Business Contest and landing NuBarter in the top 5.  I am presently maintaining NuBarter’s Corporate website, and their social media pages with announcing of events, posting articles, and also posting blogs.    NuBarter has opened a lot of new doors for me in networking and people who I would never have done business with before.  It has also helped me get more clients.  What a concept!

I’m Tonia – Owner of Diva Dogs, pet groomer on Habersham and 48^th.

I’ve been a member of NuBarter since July 30, 2009.  I met Jacquie the second day I was open.  I didn’t yet have business cards and there were no customers in the salon.  Jacquie told me about NuBarter and I joined that week.  I’m sure glad I did because:

NuBarter has sent me 15 new repeat customers since I joined.  These are customers that would not have come to me if I was not a NuBarter member.

With the trade revenue I received, I went to a chiropractor, Dr. Domanski, that I absolutely love, I got a massage, a tune-up on my car, ate at Sweet Potatoes and Juarez, had my hair done at Hair Bar, took my kids on a Ghost tour and  bought candy at Savannah Sweets.

NuBarter gives me a wide exposure and free advertising online where I can put out special offers to attract new customers.

I love NuBarter and would recommend joining to anyone who wants their business to grow!!!