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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

If after reviewing this list of FAQs you have other questions, please feel free to Contact Us.

 

1. What are the advantages of attending the Expo as an Exhibitor?

 In one 8-hour day you will:

  • Be exposed to several hundred potential customers

  • Offered the opportunity to meet one-on-one with industry and/or government decision makers and organizations that buy your type of services or products

  • Be able to attend high-end business related training

  • Be able to conduct business-to-business networking with well over 150 other Exhibitors to help you build new business connections as well as provide you the opportunity to market your products or services

 

2. How can I ensure I am informed of actions and activities leading up to the Expo?

Go to our web-site and click on CONTACT US.  Provide an e-mail address that we can add to our mailing list.

 

3.  What is different about this Expo and others?

The differences from past regional Expos include:

  • The Expo is a collaborative effort of regional Chambers of Commerce and northern New Mexico economic development organizations
  • The effort is led by the Espanola Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • The Expo will feature industry organizations from throughout the state of New Mexico which have a need for products and/or services you may offer
  • The Expo will not focus on federal government organizations
  • The event will be the largest ever business networking event in northern New Mexico history

 

4. What kind of business should attend this Expo?

 Any type of business that believes their products and/or services are marketable to other businesses, to industry, government agencies or prime-contractor organizations. 

 

5. Can I sell my products and/or services at the Expo?

 Sales presentations and product demonstrations are highly encouraged.  However, Exhibitors should not engage in sales activities as they would in a retail store or business environment.  The purpose of the Expo is to provide a forum for networking and meeting potential customers and not direct sales of items.   

 

6. Is the Expo only open to Northern New Mexico Firms?

 No. The Expo is open to all firms in and out of New Mexico. 

 

7. Is there a preference for northern New Mexico businesses?

 The only preference is the fee being offered to participating Chamber members and regional (northern New Mexico) non-profits.

 

8. What is the Matchmaking Session? 

The Matchmaking Session is available to Exhibitors ONLY.  This business session enables small businesses to interact with buyers and/or technical representatives from government and industry procurement organizations.  During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to select (from a list of representative agencies and industry) the buying organization you wish to meet as well as schedule and reserve a specific time for your meeting.  The intent of the Matchmaking Session is to “match” small businesses with federal, state, local government agencies,  government prime contractors, industry, and corporations that have contracting opportunities for goods and/or services. 

 

9.  Is there a way for me to participate in the Matchmaking Session without being an Exhibitor?

 No.  We expect the Matchmaking Session to be fully utilized by Exhibitors and so the session is reserved for Exhibitors only. 

 

10. What are the registration and exhibit fees?

Participating Chamber Members - $450

Northern New Mexico Non-Profit organizations - $450

Other Firms, Agencies, Industry or non-profits - $650

Sponsorships Available – Click Here

 

11. Can I register on-site as an Exhibitor on the day of the Expo?

 No.  We expect the Expo to be sold out well before the day of the event.  You are highly encouraged to register early.  On-site registration and Exhibit space will not be available.  Registration activities on the day of the event will be limited to confirming your on-line registration (e.g. picking up your event data, ID pass and information that correspond to your on-line registration selections such as dinner and lunch tickets, booth assignments etc.)  A wait list will be maintained on a first serve basis in the event of cancellation. Wait list Exhibitors will be notified if a booth space becomes available.

 

12. When can I register?

Registration will be available in early August.  The web-site is now set up to provide Expo information.  Once all agency and industry participants are confirmed, registration will be open.  An e-mail notification will be sent out informing you that the registration module is now operational.

 

13. When I register as an Exhibitor, am I automatically registered in the Matchmaking Session? 

 No.  Because of the popularity of the program and complexity in “matching” small businesses to procurement representatives, registrants must complete an additional registration to schedule their one-on-one meetings.  Once an Exhibitor successfully registers for the Expo and chooses the option to participate in the Matchmaking session they will be prompted to the next phase of the registration which is will be in the form of a Matchmaking matrix where they will select, schedule and reserve their one-on-one sessions.  

 

14. What is the cancellation policy for Exhibitors?

We expect the Expo to be a SOLD OUT and an AT CAPACITY event.  You may only cancel your registration by contacting us using the CONTACT US link on the web page.  The cancellation policy for Exhibitors is as follows: Any cancellations requested on or before October 1, 2008 will incur a 50% cancellation fee.  After October 1, 2008, no refunds will be given.  A waiting list will be maintained.  No-shows will not be refunded. 
Those who ONLY purchase dinner and/or lunch tickets and wish to cancel their reservation will forfeit their ability to cancel.  We anticipate both the dinner and lunch to be AT CAPACITY. 

 

15. When I register as an Exhibitor, what do I get? 

 The Exhibitor Packages Include:

  • An 8 x 10’ draped booth space (6’ draped table and 2 chairs)
  • Two (2) complimentary lunch tickets for each booth purchased
  • Scheduled networking meeting opportunities (Matchmaking Session)
  • Training sessions throughout the day
  • Inclusion of your firm’s name and (25-word or less) description in the Expo Program Guide, which is distributed to all attendees
  • Inclusion of your company's name and aforementioned description on this website along with your assigned booth number
  • Personalized service from our Expo coordinators

 

16. Is electrical service provided?

 Exhibitors will have the option of purchasing electrical service for a modest fee.

 

17. What is not included in the cost of the booth space?

 A/V or computer equipment, voice/data service, photography, floral and decorations, additional furniture, carpet and any other booth enhancements, are NOT included nor are being offered in booth space.

 

18.  As an Exhibitor, how will I know where and when I can set up in my booth?

Exhibitors will be e-mailed detailed set-up and take-down policies, procedures and instructions within one week of registration.  Exhibitors may CONTACT US at any time if they have questions.

 

19. How will I know if my online registration went through successfully?

 Once your online registration is complete, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with your confirmation number.  With the confirmation number, you may make any necessary edits, such as updating an address or correcting a misspelled name.

 

20.  Who can I call if I am having technical problems with the online registration process?

 You can click on CONTACT US for phone and e-mail notification information.

 

21. Are you going to offer special rates for various small businesses categories?

 We are not differentiating between different business sizes because the event is targeted at the general business community.  The only rate differences are reserved for participating Chamber members and northern New Mexico regional non-profits. 

 

21. What is the dress code for the events?

 The recommended dress for the main Expo event is business attire.  The event dinner dress is semi-formal attire.

 

22.  Who Attends the Expo?

Representatives from industry and government, commercial organizations, non-profits and others seeking ways to leverage business opportunities and in search of quality small business to fill their product and/or service needs.

 

23. What product/service categories/industries will be represented at the Expo?

We are actively engaging the following participants:

  • Business-to-Business
  • Software developers
  • Computer and network systems support
  • Materials engineering and manufacturing
  • Scientific suppliers
  • Water treatment
  • Construction management
  • Information and program management support
  • U.S. Government entities
  • Aerospace
  • NASCAR
  • Agriculture
  • Film
  • Tourism and Travel
  • Aviation
  • Commercial Space
  • Telecom
  • Gaming
  • and many, many more!

 

24.  Am I allowed to share booth space with another company or another company franchise?

Booth sharing is NOT allowed including sharing of one booth by two or more company franchises.

 

25. Can my company purchase multiple booths?

 A single company can only purchase a single booth and must have at least 1 person registered for the conference that will staff their exhibit.

 

26.  Why can’t my company purchase multiple booths? 

 We expect the Expo to be SOLD OUT.  It is the desire of the Chamber partners to provide exhibit opportunities to as many companies as possible.  Since exhibit booths for this event are limited and the demand for exhibit space is high, no single company may purchase multiple booths for this event.

 

27. I own more than one business and I want to exhibit each at this year’s expo.  How can I do this?

 A single business owner who owns multiple businesses can register separately as an exhibitor for each business.  However, each Exhibitor must be registered under individual companies and must also be staffed separately.  Each booth purchased must have at least 1 staff registration.

 

28. Will there be a Business Center?

 The Hilton’s Buffalo Thunder Resort and Spa Business Center and Concierge are conveniently located in the Hotel. The Expo event will not feature separate Business Center services.  Courteous concierge staff can assist you with all types of requests to help you fulfill your business needs while you are away from your company’s main office.

 

29. What hotel accommodations are being made for attendees? 

 Conference Exhibitors will be offered special hotel rates.  The Hilton Hotel has agreed to block a limited number of rooms for Expo Exhibitors at a reduced participant rate on a first served basis.  Please let them know that you are an Expo participant to receive the Expo rates.  At check-in Exhibitors must present their exhibitor confirmation to receive the special rate.  For Reservations, go here:  www.santafebuffalothunder.hilton.com  Hotel Telephone: 1-505-455-5555   Fax: 1-505-455-0200

 

30. What types of training seminars will be offered?

 We anticipate the following business related training topics to be offered:

  • Financial
  • Human Resources
  • Legal
  • Bid and Proposal
  • Quality
  • Business Certification

 

31. Can I register only for the training being offered?

 No. Training seminars are only offered to Exhibitors as part of the exhibit fee.

 

32. Can I attend just the Exposition and view the exhibits?

 Yes.  You may purchase an Expo Pass at the Expo registration table on October 24, the day exhibits will be featured.  The Expo Pass will be $10 and will allow you to view all exhibits. 

 

33. Can I attend just the Expo Dinner and/or Lunch? 

Yes.  However, you must register as an attendee.  Go to Register and select the Dinner or Lunch ONLY option.
 

34.    How can I arrange to provide training at the Expo?

The following are the conditions that trainers will be evaluated against:

  • Trainers must be registered Exhibitors
  • Trainers will not be compensated for training that they provide
  • Training must not be marketing oriented. That is, an attempt to sell a product or service disguised as training
  • Training must address a business issue(s), concern or challenge faced by the general business community
  • The business community must see a value in attending


    • Trainers wishing to be considered must submit a quarter-page synopsis of the course which includes what the business community will gain from attending the training. Also, trainers must submit a bio of the person who will perform the training. Go to Contact Us to submit your request. Information will be provided to the Expo Training Committee for review and final selection.