DEL MAR ---- An estimated crowd of nearly 2,000 ---- double that of last year ---- gathered Thursday afternoon at the San Diego County Fairgrounds for the 2010 San Diego Business Showcase.
About 200 exhibitors from local businesses took part, including 11 local chambers of commerce. It was hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
The increased attendance from last year was estimated from RSVPs and the pre-registered list, said David Oates, an Oceanside chamber spokesman.
"The reason for that is more people are trying to do business because they realize that, particularly in a down economy, you've got to get out and meet other people," Oates said. "That comes not as much from Web sites or e-mails ---- that comes from getting down and shaking hands."
Christine Cogbill at the Team Women exhibit said that face-to-face interaction is what her group was looking for. Cogbill, of the Team Women's La Costa chapter, said the expo puts Team Women in front of many potential members in a high-visibility event.
"We just help each other grow our businesses," Cogbill said of the women's-only business networking group. Cogbill is a health coach for Take Shape for Life (www.tsfl.com).
"Women tend to support other women," said Pam Dennis-Lara, another member from the La Costa chapter. "We like that nurturing aspect. We get to know each other well at the meetings." Dennis-Lara is a representative for Silpada, a seller of hand-crafted jewelry (www.silpada.com).
Team Women meets twice a month at the Four Seasons Aviara. Visit www.teamwomen.com.
The expo helps chambers of commerce by bringing them together in front of a larger audience, said Kristina McMahon, business development manager for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
"We get a lot of businesspeople coming through here, asking questions and inquiring about joining the chamber," she said.
McMahon was also there to spread the word about the Carlsbad Chamber's March 17 "green business showcase," to be held at Windmill Banquet & Catering. Call the chamber at 760-931-8400 or visit www.carlsbad.org.
Admission is $5, or free for those who wear green.
Call staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at 760-739-6641. Read his blogs at bizblogs.nctimes.com.
