Sold Out SCHMOOZAPALOOZA a Huge Success!
Festive, Laid-Back Tradeshow Helps Businesspeople Increase Relationships
The Knoxville Chamber hosted the first SCHMOOZAPALOOZA co-sponsored by Comcast Business Class, the Greater Knoxville Business Journal, Pershing Yoakley & Associates, P.C., American Airlines, and Cellular Sales of Knoxville a Verizon Wireless Authorized Retailer, on November 5 at Rothchild Catering & Conference Center. Over 500 people attended the three-hour event.
SCHOOZAPALOOZA helped local businesses increase relationships that will lead to increased bottom lines. Event exhibitors (59 tables and three sponsor booths) and attendees enjoyed a laid-back, casual experience that was very different from larger, more elaborate tradeshows. Instead of 10-foot by 10-foot booths, exhibitors featured company information on six-foot tables.
The Chamber considered time as well as money when organizing the event. During this challenging economic period, the Chamber answered its members’ desires for more cost-effective, yet productive networking opportunities.
“This is the busiest Chamber event I’ve ever been to,” said Label Industries, LLC’s Erin Howland. “I love the Schmoozapalooza title and I think this has been a great way for many companies trying to get their names, products and services out into the marketplace.”
“Tradeshows are usually two-day events that require lots of planning and preparation,” says Mark Field, Chamber vice president of membership. “Often these events involve elaborate exhibits that include high shipping costs. Attending or exhibiting at the event was relatively inexpensive and did not take a lot of preparation.”
SCHMOOZAPALOOZA was designed to consolidate energy and opportunity. The event gave many businesses great opportunity to network in a short period of time. Among the many winners of prizes given out by restaurants and retail outlets was grand prize winner Tonya Bly, Karworkz Hand Washing & Detailing, Inc., who received two round-trip American Airlines’ tickets courtesy of American Airlines/American Eagle. First place winner Dan Sparkes, Proforma, took home a 26-inch Samsung television courtesy of Comcast Business Class.