Recapping the Greater Binghamton Business Expo

BINGHAMTON — If you were wandering around the 27th annual Greater Binghamton Business Expo (GBBE) on Thursday and noticed fire hats, it wasn’t because the arena was on fire.

The flare came courtesy of Curcio Printing, a Vestal–based commercial printing company, which adopted a firehouse theme for this year’s expo held at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton.

Contestants who visited the Curcio booth won a fire hat if they tossed a ring around an orange cone. The company let contestants keep trying until they won.

These efforts landed the company the “best booth” award, as voted on by attendees. Last year, Curcio Printing had attendees rope a model calf in order to win a cowboy hat.

For the 2014 expo, the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce revealed a rebranded show, and kicked off the event with a video presentation that showcased the new design and what to expect from the future of the local business community.

Also new to the expo this year, NewsChannel 34 in Binghamton set up a press booth with local newscaster Jim Ehmke interviewing sponsors and exhibitors about their businesses.

More than 90 local businesses and nonprofits took up booths at the event to promote their products and services.

Attendees walked out with business-labeled re-useable bags of all colors filled with endless schwag, including nightlights from NYSEG, desk calendars from Carr Printing, and hand-held ice-scrapers and water bottles from ACHIEVE. Then there was candy and cookies galore from numerous exhibitors.

Contact Collins at ncollins@cnybj.com