The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce has announced plans are underway for their 125th Anniversary and Executive Business Exposition, which is taking place on Thursday, May 18th at Genetti Ballrooms in Hazleton from 5 pm to 8 pm. This is the Chamber’s largest event of the year with well over 300 business people in attendance, up to 50 businesses taking part in the expo and over a dozen businesses participating as event sponsors. The presenting sponsor for this year’s event is once again, PPL.

To help celebrate this special anniversary, Chamber officials have completely re-vamped the event, with a fresh, new format for 2017. In order to provide the opportunity for all Chamber members to take part in event, plenty of options are available, whether it is attending with a reservation, participating in the expo or as an event sponsor.

The Chamber has also changed the agenda for the event. A sit down dinner program will no longer take place. Rather, the event will kick off at 5 pm with a welcome champagne toast, followed by a short program, recognizing their outgoing Board of Directors, and then, honoring their Athena Businesswoman of the Year. The Athena Businesswoman of the Year award is once again sponsored by Berger Family Dealerships. After the short program, the Executive Business Exposition will take place and will include passed hors d' oeuvres, a 5-station meal and a cash bar. The Expo provides Chamber member businesses and attendees with an informal way to combine the social benefits of the evening, with the opportunity to see some of the goods and services available through local business.

Also during the expo attendees will enjoy photo booth fun courtesy of Skuba Entertainment, an opportunity to win tons of doorprizes by using the Chamber’s newly launched Socio networking app for a smartphone, and a chance to win a $100 cash prize by visiting each upgraded booth space.

For those businesses interested in taking part in the Executive Business Exposition, limited space is available and is on a first-come, first-served basis. An upgraded booth option is available and includes guaranteed expo traffic, a list of event attendees with contact information, business featured on the expo map provided to every attendee and additional scrolling advertising throughout the expo. The cost for an upgraded booth is $450, a regular booth is $350, a non-profit upgraded booth is $350 and a regular non-profit booth is $250. All booths include two event registrations. Due to the new structure of the event, everyone who attends must be registered. Event registration is $50 per person. Official invitations will be mailed to the Chamber membership shortly, but reservations may also be made online.

In addition an Expo Decorating Contest will take place. This is optional for expo businesses to take part in and no additional cost is associated. For businesses who choose to participate, 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners will be awarded, by the event committee, to those who integrate the event theme best. Winners will be announced at the event and will be featured in the Chamber newsletter and email notification.

Event sponsorship opportunities are still remaining and include: Gold Sponsor, $1000 investment and includes: Four (4) event reservations; Premium reserved seating at welcome reception/program; Upgraded Booth Space at Business Exposition; Corporate logo featured in marketing and advertising; Corporate signage at event; Recognition in media releases, Chamber newsletter and social media; Hyperlinked logo on hazletonchamber.org and Program booklet full page, full color ad. Silver Sponsor, $500 investment and includes: Two (2) event reservations; Premium reserved seating at welcome reception/program; Recognition in media releases, Chamber newsletter and social media and Program booklet half page, full color ad. And Bronze Sponsor, $250 investment and includes: Two (2) event reservations, Recognition in media releases, Chamber newsletter and social media and Program booklet business card size, full color ad. Confirmed event sponsors already include Presenting Sponsor: PPL; Gold Sponsors:ChamberChoice/On Demand Energy, Coordinated Health, DBi Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network- Hazleton, Standard Speaker and Residence Inn/Hampton Inn/Fairfield Inn. Silver Sponsors: UGI. Bronze Sponsors: Fierro Funeral Home, Nause Landscaping and Comfort Keepers.

For additional information or to register, visit the event date, May 18th on our online calendar on our website at hazletonchamber.org or contact Leann Fallabel, VP of Marketing at 455.1509 or .

Pictured in the photo along with the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce President, Mary Malone (on the right), is Alana Roberts from PPL, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce 125th Anniversary & Executive Business Exposition Presenting Sponsor.