8/05/2004Chamber and Sports Complex Form Winning Team
Cortland, NY – The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce and the Cortland Sports Complex will team up to produce the 2005 Business Showcase, ending a 20-year run at SUNY Cortland.
“The college has been a great partner for many years, and we owe the folks there a tremendous debt of gratitude, but with the construction of the Sports Complex we saw an opportunity to retool the showcase, to improve it,” said chamber executive director Garry VanGorder. “We can now be more flexible with our date and be more creative with the kind of event we produce, and at the same time we can help promote a fantastic new community facility. We’re very excited about the possibilities.”
Traditionally held in mid-March at SUNY Cortland’s Lusk Field House, the Business Showcase provides a trade show atmosphere for local businesses and organizations wishing to display their products and services to the Cortland community. Last year’s show featured more than 100 exhibitors, as well as local entertainment and refreshments. A Friday evening “Preview Party” drew more than 750 people.
VanGorder said the 2005 showcase will be held in early May, and that an ad hoc committee of Chamber members and community volunteers is already working to plan the event.
Larry Hirschfield, president of the Cortland Sports Complex, said the facility is perfect for events like the showcase. “We can offer the Chamber a great deal of flexibility in planning this event as we have plenty of room available for booth displays, hospitality suites, and support facilities. In addition, we are in a position to offer the Chamber exclusive access to the Complex facilities during the Business Showcase. This will allow for easy access to this event for both exhibitors and visitors.”
The Sports Complex will open its doors in September 2004. It is currently planning its Grand Opening Weekend where it will feature many exciting ways for the community to experience this new facility. The Complex is an 80,000 square-foot indoor facility featuring a regulation size ice rink and two turf fields. It is located on the Cortland County Fairgrounds and is open to any organization interested in renting space for sporting events, tradeshows, community events, and much more. For more information, contact Jim Kenney, General Manager, at 836-4137.
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