Save the Date (and Become a Vendor) for the Lakes Area Expo

Mark your calendar for the annual Lakes Area Expo on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Maranatha Church at 24799 Forest Blvd. This community business and home show brings together dozens of companies from across Forest Lake and greater Minneapolis-St. Paul. The event is free to attend, and several family-friendly activities will make the morning exciting — even the Easter Bunny will be there!  

“There are businesses throughout the Twin Cities that support this event and we have a large area in which to draw community-minded attendees,” says Nannette LaNasa, President and CEO of the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. “If you live in this general vicinity, there are products and services that would be of interest to you at the expo.”

The Chamber is still accepting applications for vendors and for small businesses that want to sell directly to customers. Keep reading to learn more about this event and how to get the most out of it. 

The Chamber is Planning for More Than 1,000 Attendees

The Chamber has a dedicated marketing plan to attract residents from across the region to the Lakes Area Expo. LaNasa hopes to attract more than 1,000 attendees, including families of all sizes. Here are just a few attractions that will brighten up the expo:

• Visits from the Easter Bunny
• Face painting
• Free children’s eye screening by the Forest Lake Lions
• Demonstrations from various exhibitors 
• Ice cream
• Coffee and treats from the expo’s in-house vendor
• Food trucks outside

Families can also complete a scavenger hunt by picking up a “passport” and collecting stamps from participating exhibitors. Once the passport is complete, they can drop it into a drawing for various prizes. Last year, an attendee won a $150 gift card.

“Events like the Forest Lake Business Expo highlight how local businesses are part of the greater community,” says Chris Eng, Economic Development Director for the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA). “The people you hire to replace your windows or file your taxes also have kids and choose to live in and invest in this region.”

LaNasa says the expo is being held a little earlier this year, which means the weather will still be cold. This event could be a great opportunity to get out of the house while staying indoors. 

Local Business Owners Can Network and Meet New Customers

The Lakes Area Expo is an invaluable opportunity to speak directly with customers and talk to people who are interested in your business. Whether your company sells heating repair or life insurance, you can find value at this expo. Talking face-to-face with attendees allows you to stand out from your competitors and form strong connections.

There are also networking benefits. You can meet with other businesses in the area and potentially form partnerships with them and gain referrals in the future.

LaNasa has a team of 25 volunteers who are ready to help exhibitors unload and pack up. The Chamber has also taken steps to make the vending experience comfortable for participating companies.  

“We want this to be a wonderful experience for our exhibitors,” says LaNasa. “We offer helping hands wherever they are needed and have created a lounge for exhibitors to take a break or get work done if they need to walk away from the booth. We also give each business a list of other exhibitors to make networking easier.”

The Chamber is accepting exhibitor applications until the end of February. While there is an application fee, Chamber members apply at a discounted rate. Now might be a great time to join the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and take advantage of immediate savings.

Opportunities for sponsorship are also available if you would like to further advertise your business while supporting this event. 

Crafters and Home Businesses Can Also Participate in the Expo

The Chamber is maximizing space at Maranatha Church and will have two exhibitor halls to walk through. The main hall will feature businesses from around the greater Forest Lake area with some exhibitors traveling from Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul. The entrance hall will feature a shopper’s boutique where vendors can sell a variety of crafts, home goods, and other useful items.  

“There is a wide variety of businesses that participate and find value in the expo,” says LaNasa. “It’s fun watching exhibitors form relationships with customers and other businesses while at this event.”

If you have a home business or are preparing to expand your hobby into a source of income, this expo could be a great opportunity to grow your name in the region. The Chamber welcomes businesses of all sizes and loves watching passionate entrepreneurs succeed. 

East Metro MSP is a Great Place for Small Businesses 

East Metro MSP is home to hundreds of small businesses, from service professionals to crafters. These businesses receive support from residents, local chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. The Washington County CDA provides several resources to anyone who wants to start a business in Minnesota.

The Lakes Area Expo is just one opportunity to network and grow. Consider expanding your business to the region and see how it thrives in East Metro MSP.