When the City of North Charleston introduced the North Charleston Business Expo in 2015, the goal was to help businesses collaborate and grow. After a successful inaugural run, the Business Expo has expanded, joining with Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC and Charleston County to offer targeted resources for businesses and employment seekers. In addition, exhibitor participants have increased to 200.
Set for Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, the Business Expo will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, followed by a networking reception from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Admission, parking, and Wi-Fi are all free.
Exhibition space is still available, but dwindling. In order to remain inclusive to all businesses, from one-person operations and up, exhibition costs are kept well-below the average, starting at only $270. Last year boasted an early sell out, so businesses are encouraged to reserve space soon.
Prior to the Business Expo, Mercedes-Benz Vans (MBV) will host an exclusive Job Fair from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. In March 2015, Mercedes-Benz Vans announced an investment of half a billion dollars in the North Charleston community with the anticipation of creating 1,300 new jobs, in addition to the current production team which reassembles Sprinter and Metris vans shipped from Europe. The new production plant will supply the North American market with the next-generation Sprinter. MBV is looking for a variety of Specialists now, and will look to hire Shop Floor team members in late 2017.
“Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC values our partnership with the City of North Charleston and its efforts to promote economic development in the area,” said MBV President and CEO Michael Balke. “Our facility continues to grow and create career paths and fosters community relationships in the Lowcountry.”
Michael Balke of Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC is the Expo’s keynote speaker (12:30pm) and will provide insight into the company’s North Charleston facility, its ongoing expansion project and the role of Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC in the local North Charleston Business community.
New this year, Charleston County’s Contacts to Contracts forum will be underway at the 2016 North Charleston Business Expo. Charleston County provides a platform for small businesses to showcase their goods and services to local, state, and federal contracting and procurement agents, such as the City of North Charleston, Charleston County Government, SPAWAR, and GSA Federal Acquisition Service. In addition, at no charge to participants, business resource organizations will be on-hand, and include, Charleston Local Development Corporation, S.C.O.R.E., SC Women’s Business Center, US Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center.
“The North Charleston Business Expo is an important avenue that we proudly offer to strategically connect our regional businesses,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “Collaboration breeds success and innovation, and when our businesses are successful, our city is successful. We are very happy to partner with our diverse group of event sponsors, all dedicated to strengthening the region’s economy.”
The North Charleston Business Expo is brought you by our valued sponsors:
- Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC
- Charleston County Economic Development
- Charles Foster Staffing
- Charleston Regional Business Journal
- Adams Outdoor Advertising
- Comcast Business
- Coldwell Banker Commercial
- Blackmon Service, Inc.
- CenturyLink