SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Economic Development Commission is hosting the annual Home and Business Show Saturday at Town Hall.
Commission Chairman Michael McMahon said the event was resurrected last year after a nine-year hiatus with much success.
“With the recession, a lot of businesses were hurting a bit, and there are a lot of new people who have moved into Southwick in the past eight or 10 years and we wanted to highlight what Southwick businesses have to offer,” said McMahon.
Last year, McMahon said businesses were networking during the event, which was a bonus.
“There were conversations going sideways, as well as with the general public,” said McMahon.
McMahon said the Southwick Home and Business Show 2012 features five workshops.
At 10:30 a.m. Kelly A. Galanis will present “Cool Confidence Created: a Diva’s Guide to Promoting a Positive Online Image.“ She will discuss how to best develop a confident social online image for you and your company. At 12:30 p.m., Freda Brown, EA, CDFA will present “Paying Less in Taxes Takes Planning.” Brown will present ways to effectively take advantage of tax planning. At 1:30 p.m. Laura Aubrey-Cook will help you get ready for vacation by presenting a workshop on “Tips for Travelers.” She will cover ways to get through airport security quickly and easily and packing for a 10 day trip in one carry-on suitcase. From 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Diane L. Mason-Arnold, LUTCF will present “Protecting Your Family…When Do You Need Insurance?” This focused discussion will cover various types of insurance and what you need to protect your family when it is most necessary. From 2:30 – 3 p.m. Susan Kochanski, CKD will present “How to Prepare, Plan and Live Through a Kitchen Renovation.” Kochanski will share her 30 plus years of experience and knowledge of residential kitchen design with homeowners planning a kitchen renovation.
McMahon said one of last year’s surprising vendors, B & E Group, is returning again. The precision machine company may seem like an odd vendor for a home and business show, and McMahon said they are. However, he said the company wants to get the word out about the need for machinists.
Other vendors include Fresh Fields Café and Deli, located at The Notch, Nora’s Restaurant, Family Wireless, Diane Mason Insurance, Drenan’s Financial Services, and many more.
“We have 32 businesses this year,” said McMahon.
Free food samples and chair massages will take place, as well as other demonstrations. On the auditorium stage, participants will get a sneak peak at the “Have A Seat In Southwick” public art project. The Southwick Cultural Council is sponsoring a public art project during the spring and summer of 2012. Fifteen Pioneer Chairs have been painted by local artists. Designs include a chair with the Phil Hall barns in the background and a cow in the front, another one has all the things necessary for a day at the beach and another is a graphic depiction of a spring garden, these are just a few examples of the innovation the artists brought to this project. They have taken a plain wooden chair and turned it into piece of functional art. These functional pieces of art will be auctioned at an event on July 28 at Town Hall.
The Southwick Home and Business Show takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Southwick Town Hall.
