Strongsville Business Expo To Be Held November 6

STRONGSVILLE, OH — More than 100 local businesses will line the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center during the annual Strongsville Business Expo on November 6. The day's festivities will include free food samples, product demonstrations, giveaways and admission is free.

This year, the expo had more interest from Strongsville companies then could be accommodated in Ehrnfelt, according to Brent Painter, the city's economic development director. The event has grown each year in terms of attendance and interest from the local business community.

"Our guess is about 1,000 folks will attend this year," Painter told Patch. The recreation center will close early (at 3 p.m.) on November 6, to free up parking spots, which are always at a premium during the expo.

Despite the steady growth of interest, Painter feels the expo has "hit a sweet spot."

"We’ve been very careful in growing this. We’ve hit a sweet spot with where we are. We try to add a new twist each year," Painter said. He added that there is no desire to move the expo out of Ehrnfelt or to increase prices dramatically.

A few of this year's participating businesses include: Chick fil-A, Peace Love and Little Donuts, Bibibop, Olympia Candies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Zoup!, Old Carolina, Costco, Buca di Beppo, Scramblers, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Clothes Mentor.

Bill Wills of WTAM-AM radio will again serve as master of ceremonies for the expo. High school students from Strongsville High will participate in the marketing of the event and will get their own booth during the expo.

Student involvement in the expo was not the original intent of the event, but has become a pillar of what the city tries to accomplish. Students from the high school's marketing program will get an inside look at how companies publicize themselves and how marketing plans take shape and take effect in real time.

Companies donate between $100 and $150 to get booth space at the expo. In return, Painter said, they get approximately $15,000 in marketing through the city. The Strongsville Business Expo is advertised on WTAM and in a variety of print publications, and targeted social media campaigns on Facebook are run to attract residents.