It was a roaring success.
The Santa Maria Women’s Network’s first-ever micro-trade show attracted about 40 vendors and between 200 and 300 attendees.
Held in the Santa Maria Inn’s large Santa Maria room on Feb. 3, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the trade show was abuzz with excitement over products and services and connections made and renewed.
“This is incredible,” observed Alice Worhacz. “It’s so energizing.”
“It’s fantastic,” contributed a very pleased Christine Gerber, one of the planners of the event (along with jewelry designer Sharon Duncan), obviously overjoyed at the turnout. Gerber and her son have just launched a new business, AHD&M Connections, offering a variety of sales and marketing services.
Humane society board president Bo Cudd arrived shortly after the opening, glanced around the room, and judged, “This is amazing.”
“I’m very pleased,” said Carrie Rosing. The always-cheerful PCPA development director was serving samples and hawking her homemade jellies, jams and preserves from the Carlian Company. She took home far fewer jars than she arrived with.
Every year, the Women’s Network honors a Woman of Excellence. This year, the group is considering, according to Gerber, “nine exceptional candidates” for the award. The awardee will be recognized at the network’s annual dinner on March 3 at the Inn.
A blissful mini-massage offered by vendor and massage therapist Virginia Hall to lucky passers-by totally de-stressed me before I sampled the generous buffet of chicken tenders, fresh fruit and berries, chips and fresh guacamole and salsa, shrimp, and cookies and brownies, as well as iced tea and coffee.
There were giveaways—a lot of candy and cookies at vendors’ tables—and door prizes contributed by the vendors.
I chatted with Lou Glenn, who will emcee the March 3 Women of Excellence dinner, graphic artist Debi Cloud, who won the Sun’s prize of a free quarter-page ad, and Patty Elswick, another lady expanding her career horizons. This seasoned sales pro has joined D. Martini and Associates as a financial advisor.
Thanks, Donna Randolph, of State Farm Insurance, for the great shopping bag!
An afternoon at the Discovery Museum
Ever since Kelly White O’Neill assumed the executive director position at the Discovery Museum, she has been implementing changes sanctioned by the board of directors.
One of these is opening the museum on the last Sunday of every month. At their first-ever-open-Sunday event, they entertained their visitors with a demonstration by Santa Maria High School cheerleaders and the high school’s dance group.
Board member Roy Reed was on hand to help. The museum staff and volunteers assisted the youngsters with crafts: paper cutting and making yarn ornaments. Su Mesa Catering Services sold beef tacos and drinks outside, where tables and chairs were set up.
One of the goals of the museum’s board is to make museum attendance more inclusive, and to that end, they are reaching out to the Hispanic community via bilingual announcements and flyers. A Latino Outreach Group is already in play.
On the last Sunday of every month, the museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday admission is $8 for children ages 2 and up. Adults who accompany children get free admission, one adult per child.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Feb 11-18, 2010.
