Best 4U Shopping Expo coming to area hotel
Posted on Wednesday, November 7, 2007
BENTONVILLE — From struggle and challenges, opportunity arises.
When Dana Hope, of Bentonville, couldn’t find an affordable place to showcase her home-based business, she started a new business — the Best 4 U Shopping Expo.
Hope announced her premier event will be held Nov. 10 from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 211 S. E. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville. Admission is free.
“ Because I have a homebased business, I know how expensive it is to participate in an expo, ” she said.
Hope sells bath, body and spa products called Jordan Essentials. On average, she said, she had to pay $ 350 to exhibit her products. At her shopping expo, small-business owners paid $ 75 for a booth.
Seventeen business owners signed up to show at the hotel. Six of those are from Bella Vista: Ceramatherapy, a paint-your-own-pottery studio; Gypsy Mama Gifts, with trendy Bohemian styles from lamps to rugs, pillows, window treatments and furniture made by women artists from around the world; Mia Bella Scentsations Inc., with scented soy candles; Uppercase Living, with decorative vinyl expressions; and Zoe & Sprout, which sells onesies and T-shirts for babies and toddlers.
Other businesses will offer products such as paper crafting, rubber stamping, natural botanicals, toys, jewelry, home decorating, food supplements, skin care and gourmet foods. Because of the low booth fee, Hope said she found sponsors to help with the advertising and publicity expenses to spread the word about the event in hopes of getting more people to stop in and shop. But her focus is not on just providing the booth space for vendors, she said. The shoppers will benefit in several ways, Hope explained. They can do their holiday shopping at a onestop event. They also can sign up to win one of two gift baskets filled with free movie rentals, restaurant gift certificates and other items.
In addition, parents and grandparents can enjoy free on-site child care while they do their Christmas shopping, she said. For more information about the expo, visit www. best 4 uexpo. com.
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