By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

In the past, local businesses would have to go all the way to South Bend to participate in a business expo.

That is until now.

The EXPOsing Greatness! Expo is coming to Lake Michigan College’s Bertrand Campus in Niles on May 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The expo is a collaborative effort of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Michigan College and the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance.

The deadline for business registration is Thursday.

Shelley Klug, the executive director for the Economic Growth Alliance, said the expo will allow for business-to-business communication and provide businesses a new way to reach the community.

“We want all businesses to know who else is nearby,” she said. “This venue is a perfect way for local businesses to support each other by taking an opportunity to look close to home for commercial, retail and service needs.”

She also believes the expo will be good for the economic growth of the Niles-Buchanan area.
“We want to see how many people we can get to shop local,” she said. “Given the current economy, this is the time for us to advertise our local businesses and celebrate them. That really is the bottom line.”

Klug is expecting about 40 businesses at this year’s expo and hopes that number will grow significantly in future years.

“We have a lot of great businesses here,” she said. “The two chambers between them have over 800 members.”

Door prizes, food samples and a cash bar will be available at the event as well.

For more information on the EXPOsing Greatness! Expo or to register a business, visit www.exposinggreatness.com or call 683-1833.