The annual exposition and job fair at the Veterans Memorial
Building is scheduled for May 12 and will highlight the theme
”
Building Business Bigger
&
amp; Better.
”
It also will add two new options for businesses, including the
ability to sell items at the venue.
The event, previously called Spotlight on Hollister and San
Benito County, will involve dozens of employers who will be taking
part in the trade show or job fair portions of the day. It is set
for 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the downtown Hollister location at Seventh
and San Benito streets.
The annual exposition and job fair at the Veterans Memorial Building is scheduled for May 12 and will highlight the theme “Building Business Bigger & Better.” It also will add two new options for businesses, including the ability to sell items at the venue.
The event, previously called Spotlight on Hollister and San Benito County, will involve dozens of employers who will be taking part in the trade show or job fair portions of the day. It is set for 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the downtown Hollister location at Seventh and San Benito streets.
At last year’s trade show and job fair, more than 3,000 residents attended to learn about the local business community, according to the Economic Development Corp. of San Benito County, which expects even more participation this year. The chairwoman of the event is Nancy Martin, president and CEO of the EDC.
Part of that expectation to increase activity this year is due to organizers expanding offerings for businesses or nonprofit groups. For the first time in the event’s 16-year history, participating companies can sell products or services to attendees, who get in for free. Also new, two companies now can partner in buying a booth, said David Huboi from Huboi Architecture, one of the volunteers.
As usual, there will be booths and tables set up inside for the trade show as well as outside, for the job fair in a 60-by-40-foot tent, Huboi said, noting how there were more than 60 jobs filled within 30 days due to the event in 2010.
Huboi said last year’s gathering was successful and there was a positive energy. He said it should help this year that the economy is “slowly” showing signs of recovery. Unemployment in San Benito County, hit particularly hard by the housing crisis, still hovered around 20 percent for San Benito County, according to the last figures.
There are varying opportunities for sponsorship of the event as well. They range from $400 for a being a “sponsor” to $2,500 to be an “event headliner.” The participation booths range from $100 for a nonprofit table space to $195 for an inside booth and $300 for a small, outdoor, stand-alone tent, according to the organizers.
The event is sponsored by the EDC, the city and county, the Hollister Downtown Association, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and its Green Business Committee, and the Water Resources Association of San Benito County.
As is tradition, there will also be food samples available from local restaurants from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call 637-3347 or go to www.sbcexpo.com.
