Business Showcase Highlights Local Businesses

Looking to promote your business? Meet hundreds of potential customers at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce "Business Showcase" --- the premier event for bringing consumers and businesses together under one roof. This annual event promotes area businesses and brings valuable exposure. Whether you're in retail, food service, sell products online or provide professional services --- this event will connect exhibitors with the public and other business professionals.

Booth space is available now but is filling up quickly. Businesses are encouraged to register early for optimum booth location. Taking place at the Bonner County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 31, the Showcase will run from 11am to 3pm. There are sponsor levels for everyone’s budget, ranging from $250-$1000. For those interested in participating, you can sign up for a booth at $80 for Chamber Members and $100 for Non-Chamber Members.

"How many people visit your business in a day? Here's an opportunity for hundreds to learn about your products and services and make connections that you may reap the benefits from for years to come," said Barbara Schriber, Chair of the Business Development Committee. She added, "part business fair, part market place, part networking event, the Business Showcase is a great marketing opportunity for area businesses."

The Chamber listened to last year’s suggestions and has stepped up their game! DJ and Master of Ceremonies KT from the radio station will be on hand to talk up the exhibitors that provide a raffle prize for the event. They are going to include a larger amount of food and drink vendors. To top it all off, the Grand Prize Raffle item is going to be a Kindle Fire.

Exhibitors can take advantage of the free WiFi on site to demonstrate their products and services, sell products or take orders, distribute samples, network with business peers and build customer relationships. KPND 95.3 will be broadcasting live from the event with updates and interviews with vendors.

Join the action at this year's Business Showcase and kick off spring by highlighting your business and developing customer relationships. For more information, visit: http://members.sandpointchamber.org/Events/details/business-showcase

Chamber honors Mel Dick as Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honors Mel Dick as February’s Volunteer of the Month for his service to our community. Mel is more than a small business owner in our community and this honor does little to recognize his countless hours of volunteer work he spends his time doing.

Since moving to Sandpoint in 2012, Mel has immersed himself in our community. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Sandpoint and Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE). He also serves on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Advisory Council. Also, he is a large supporter and founder of the Race Across America Team Laughing Dog and Team 24/7 for Autism. Mel is also a large supporter and organizer of the WaCanID Bicycle Ride that takes hundreds of riders around the International Selkirk Loop.

When asked why he rides in the Race Across America Team, Mel answered, “to compete in one of the toughest sporting events in the world with a team of dedicated individuals, all of which have a sense of adventure and to raise awareness and funds to support autism.” In 2008, Mel did the ‘Ride For Education’ that took him on a 10,000 mile journey across the country benefiting the PAFE and early childhood literacy.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Mel Dick in being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking him for all of his contributions to our community. His hard work has done a lot for so many causes in our community. Thank you Mel!

Photo: Kate McAlister honors Mel Dick as February’s Volunteer of the Month.

Chamber Honors Pend d’Oreille Winery as Business of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Pend d’Oreille Winery as the February’s Business of the Month. Founded in 1996 by Steve and Julie Meyer, the Pend d’Oreille Winery is in its Sweet 16th Year of Business! Located at 220 Cedar St. in Sandpoint Idaho, they are a local business that prides themselves on earning the trust of their customers, establishing a relationship and watching the word of mouth grow their business.

The Pend d’Oreille Winery is an award winning winery and Winemaker Steve Meyer is very proud of all of his wines. Bistro Rouge and Chardonnay are both double Gold Medal winners, the Malbec’s and Merlot have won many great accolades, and the winery boasts many other awards for their wines.

Incredibly, the Pend d’Oreille Winery was the first winery in the nation to create a refillable magnum 1.5 liter bottle of the Bistro Rouge red wine blend. The slogan is simple ‘Think Green, Drink Red’ and the impact has been huge. This program keeps roughly half a ton of waste out of the landfills every month and has close to 15 tons of waste out of the landfill since this program has launched. They have even expanded and created a second refillable bottle for the Bistro Rouge white wine blend.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Pend d’Oreille Winery for their success in the wine industry and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, give them a call at 265-8545, find them on Facebook, visit www.powine.com or visit them at their location at 220 Cedar St., Sandpoint, ID.

In Photo: Julie and Steve Meyer receive the award with Chamber Ambassador Clem Hackworthy.