Editorial: 2008 Expo showcases local businesses

The 2008 Expo & Taste of the Valley continues to grow and offer businesses a high-profile opportunity before thousands in the community.

The annual event, scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday at the West Center, combines two great ideas. First, the Expo allows business owners and managers to get out from behind the counter and meet potential clients in a relaxed atmosphere. Second, the Taste of the Valley offers $1 tickets for food samples, guaranteeing large crowds who learn about the businesses and eat cuisine from throughout the region.

The Expo & Taste of the Valley serves as a fundraiser for the Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber, which will net around $5,000 with 105 vendors participating, decided to launch an Expo six years ago to provide exposure for its members.

“The exposure is important,” Chamber Executive Director Jim DiGiacomo said. “I hear people telling vendors every year, ‘I have never heard of your business.’ Then they say, ‘Now that I know about it, I can support your business.’ ”

The Taste of the Valley was combined with the Expo last year and was a huge success. More than 3,000 attended. Organizers would not be surprised to see more than 4,000 this year.

“We have about 15 food vendors,” DiGiacomo said. “One interesting food vendor this year is called the Chef for Hire. She prepares Thai food and teaches people how to do it at home.

“I think it’s a good mix of the local eating establishments,” he added. “Many of the ones who cannot make it have donated gift certificates as raffle prizes.”

Businesses attending the Expo range from home-based companies to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Green Valley’s largest employer and one of the world’s largest copper producers.

“Our Sierrita operations have long been involved with the Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce,” said John Broderick, vice president and general manager of Sierrita operations for Freeport-McMoRan. “It is an excellent organization, working overtime to promote a healthy climate for businesses, large and small, in the area.

“The Expo will be a great showcase for the many thriving enterprises we have here. We are fortunate to have such an active Chamber, promoting great events for everyone to enjoy,” Broderick said.

Non-profit organizations use the venue as an opportunity to tell their story, too. The Green Valley Community Food Bank, Casa de Esperanza, Green Valley Assistance Services, the White Elephant and Salvation Army will have representation, for example, because sponsors such as Freeport-McMoRan have paid for their booths. Half of the proceeds from the $1 food tickets will go to the Food Bank.

Boy Scouts will be selling beverages to raise money, and the Sahuarita High robotics team will be putting on demonstrations to earn funds for a trip. Two churches, Risen Savior Lutheran and St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal, have donated lots for parking.

“The Expo has developed into an event in which everyone seems to be helping everyone else,” DiGiacomo said.

We salute the volunteers who are helping set up. We salute Chamber members and staffers who are handling the hundreds of details involved in such an ambitious undertaking.

The Expo makes a difference for the business community, and we are proud to be part of it.

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