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Link, launch, learn

By Abbey Doyle The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. — Business leaders from eight counties gathered at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for Thursday’s Get Linked Expo.

Organizers estimated that around 2,000 business owners and decision makers came together for the event created to help businesses link up with each other, learn about new products and launch new businesses.

Get Linked isn’t like a typical business expo. Instead of pencils, note pads and rulers being passed out, businesses were showcasing their products on large plasma television screens and multiple computer monitors, items like cake pops and “geek” glasses were being passed out and exhibitors were wearing things like gold sparkly wigs to attract visitors.

“People are having a blast,” Madison County Chamber President Kyle Morey said.

Tammy Rimer, Get Linked Expo and Conference program director, said she’d heard a lot of positive feedback from participants and expected they would reach if not exceed their attendance goal of 2,000. There were about 85 exhibitors and the event featured three sponsored zones and networking lounges as well.

Morey pointed out that the event was far from a local one with participants coming from more than 30 cities and three other states. He said this was one of the biggest offerings for the business community in the area.

“Anytime you can get a couple thousand in suits and ties to Anderson, Ind., — a place that unfortunately normally gets bad press — to check things out because we are making a lot of noise in the business community, that’s a good thing,” Morey said.

The event wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors and volunteers, he said, stressing that they are the ones marketing Madison County to those coming to the Expo and today’s conference.

Weeks Communications — sponsor of the “Launch” zone — was gaining buzz with the geeky glasses its representatives were handing out. There were tables littered with large black plastic framed glasses — with the bridge wrapped in white tape — alongside boxes of nerds.

“We’re the ‘Weeks Geeks,’” company president Cameron Weeks said.

The company — operated by twenty-somethings — was started in a Purdue University dorm room. One day not all that long ago the company would have never been able to afford to rent booth space at an expo, Weeks explained. As they now have the means, Weeks said, he wanted to make it possible for several other small businesses to exhibit and launch their products at the expo.

“We wanted to show that there are exciting things happening in Madison County,” Weeks said. “There are a lot of cool things going on and we wanted to show that off. We don’t have to just manufacture parts, we can build applications.”

One of those businesses — Indiana Software Group — was showing off a new product it will launch in two weeks, President Chuck East said. With the launch so close, all of the company’s funding is tied up and they’d never be able to exhibit at an event like Get Linked, East said.

“The opportunity to put our product and business before 2,000 business representatives is huge,” he said.

The product is a subscription-based website targeted to low-tech users allowing them to create marketing pages to be published to Facebook using “drag and drop” tools.

Purdue University was the “Learn” zone sponsor and had students as well as staff participating in Thursday’s Expo. College of Technology Director Barbara Alder said the event is a great way for students to learn about the applications of technology. And response to the school by attendees had been great, she said.

“Even though we’ve been in Anderson for 25 years, we are one of the best-kept secrets,” Alder said. “There are still people who don’t know they can get a full four-year (Purdue) degree right here in Anderson.”

She said the exposure for the college was great as well as the students.

Anderson business owner Connie Combs came to the Expo again this year. She said it is important to get word out about her business, The Mobile Seamstress, and enjoys connecting with other small business owners. The Get Linked Expo, Combs said, is a great way to do that.

“I hope to make some great connections,” she said.

If you go:

  • What: Limited seating available at the Get Linked Conference
  • Where: Hoosier Park Racing and Casino
  • When: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Friday
  • Cost: $89 which includes breakfast and lunch