Women business owners sought for 2017 showcase

Press release:

Women Business Owners Sought for 2017 Showcase

Women who own or co-own a business that operates in Transylvania County are urged to apply for the 2017 Women’s Business Showcase, to be held on Saturday, April 29.

It will be the second year for the successful event, which attracted a large crowd of attendees and exhibitors last year, and it will again be hosted at Connestee Falls, according to Grace Major, Showcase chair. She is a mentor for SCORE, a federal assistance program for small businesses.

The first Showcase, held at Connestee Falls on April 16 last year, featured 48 businesses and attracted almost 400 customers.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to get new customers and sell,” said Showcase Director Shannon Draegen, of the local firm Delta Project Management. She was co-director last year with Major and the two said business women reported brisk sales at the event then.

“Ellen Carlos, one exhibitor who had a hand-made greeting cards display, said she sold three times more at the Showcase than at craft fairs,” Major said. “Others reported new customers came to their shops the next week and some signed up people for classes right at the Showcase.”

Jessica Whitmire, of Headwaters Outfitters, reported that she sold two kayaks at the event and more equipment and outings within a week. “It was definitely, definitely a very good day for us,” Whitmire said.

The Showcase is expected to again fill the first floor of Connestee’s clubhouse, with some exhibits spilling over into the community’s Atagahi Park. And this year, as an added feature, Connestee’s head golf professional, Trey Wyatt, will host a nine-hole putting contest on the golf course’s practice green next to the clubhouse.

“We’re delighted to host the event,” said Connestee’s general manager, Keith Lamb. “The people of our community feel it’s important to patronize and encourage local businesses.”

Women are urged to apply soon to receive special consideration for the 50 Showcase booth spaces plus a $10 discount on the $35 application fee. The application deadline is Feb. 15. For more information and to apply online, go to TransylvaniaWomenBusinesses.org.

The 2017 Showcase is sponsored by SCORE, the Transylvania Economic Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce.