Published: April 21, 2009 11:24 pm      

Main Event brings ‘A Brand New Direction’ to Meridian

Each year, the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation puts on an expo to showcase area business and industry, provide member networking opportunities and promote community participation. 

For the past 21 years, the EMBDC has coordinated the Main Event Business and Industry Expo. This year, the theme is “A Brand New Direction,” which is a play on the branding campaign as well as featuring member business brands and logo. Each year, the expo attracts a large crowd and 150 exhibitors. In addition to business engagements, everyone is able to partake in food, fun and door prizes. 

Exhibitors provide door prizes, which are announced throughout the day. Lunch is provided at the low cost of $6 from Honey Baked Ham and Piggly Wiggly of Collinsville. At the end of the day, exhibitors are eligible to win booth awards in four categories: Best of Show- Overall, Best of Show Theme, Best of Show Non-Profit and Best of Show Small Business.

Drawing a large crowd and many exhibitors is a task taken on by Kim Johnson of Community Bank, chairperson for this year’s Main Event Business and Industry Expo. She is in her first year in this role. Others who aid in making the event possible include committee members: Abria Jamison, Carolyn Smith, Christy Bennett, Connie Royal, Danielle Winningham, Donna Owen, Jim Cason, Jimmy Culpepper, Joyce Neal, Leia Hill, Linda Butler, Linda Waters, Marty McCann, Rob Seal, Sandra Bunyard, Sara Carmichael, Tracey Garrett, and Tracy Robinson.

“Main Event is a great event to showcase your business. Very few networking events have such a large number of contacts under one roof like you will find at this Business and Industry Expo,” Johnson said. “We are very excited about this year’s Main Event and we look forward to seeing everyone out that day.”

The 21st Annual EMBDC Main Event Business and Industry Expo will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.