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Chamber's business expo gets the word out

Businesses and groups showcase products and services while restaurants offer a taste of the town.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published March 20, 2006

LAND O'LAKES - Breanna Wade, 5, looked puzzled as she gazed into a toilet filled with an assortment of gold candy. But the lure of the taste-tempting sweets overcame her hesitation and she sampled one of the goodies offered by Plumbers of Suojanen Enterprises.

The toilet was new and sparkling clean and was referred to by the owner as a "pot of gold."

This was one of the many exhibits offered at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce's 2006 Business Expo and Taste of the Town. The event was held at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex on Saturday.

The two-day expo was themed around St. Patrick's Day and featured 120 vendors, 23 more than last year.

"We had a waiting list," said Kathy Dunkley, the executive director of the chamber. "We even have some sold for next year. Yes it is very successful."

Vendors with items from cosmetics to jewelry and representatives from churches and dentists offered brochures and information clients, customers and members.

Joan Platt of Spring Hill was with the Dental Health Group. She was very pleased with the expo, but she was upset with the parking situation. People drove around and around looking for a space to park in the lot or parked several blocks away and walked to the expo.

"This is our first year here and we have been very busy," Platt said.

Representing AFLAC, the insurance company with the duck mascot, was Les Saland, special projects coordinator. This was his second year at the event.

"It has been good, so good I'm changing from sales to recruiting," he said. "People are always looking for a job."

Faith Jordan-Masella, the Honorary Mayor of Land O'Lakes, was there talking about her company OurTownFLA Community Websites. She said her term as mayor as been good and busy.

"I'm going to let someone else run for next year," she said.

The Republican Party was represented as well as EXIT Realty, All Kids' Academy, Deer Creek Sporting Clays and Artisan Breads from Publix, where free bread samples were distributed.

Many of the vendors had giveaways ranging from letter openers to jar openers and from beads to pens, all advertising their businesses.

Jack and Nancy Wampler of Land O'Lakes were two of the hundreds people who attended. They also were pleased with the expo but disappointed with the parking situation.

"This is a good way to meet neighbors and see what is good," he said.

Nancy Wampler, who works in Clearwater, said she enjoyed seeing all the different businesses.

"I went to two of the seminars this week and they were great," said Jack Wampler. "They were held at Publix and we got a free lunch."

He attended one on promoting business through the Internet and one on money and identity theft.

Kelly Brown had two tables of Avon products for sale.

"I'm trying to expand my business so I can work on being a stay-at-home mom," she said. "I do medical billing at a doctor's office and can do that at home too."

Next to her was Barbara Williams from Paradise Lakes.

"We came to hopefully introduce people to the nudist lifestyle," the fully clothed Williams said. "We want to dispel some of the myths about our lifestyle. It is about freedom of the body, spirit and mind, not sexual."

At Taste of The Town, 10 vendors offered samples. Harry Wright of Hungry Harry's Famous Bar-B-Que offered sandwiches. Cool Beans served up pastry samples and a 10 percent off coupon to be used at the shop. Starbucks had pastries or coffee. Samples weren't free. Customers paid $1 a ticket or 12 for $10. The tickets were redeemable for one ticket per sample.

Moe's served burritos and one could get sausage gravy and biscuits at the Breakfast Nook booth.

Shirley Higgins of Lutz tried Chinese food, while Wendell Seybolt sampled gumbo.

"The gumbo is really good," Seybolt said. "And, the pasta is good too."

[Last modified March 20, 2006, 00:36:17]