Local expo to focus on women

Nick Malawskey

This fall a new business exposition is set to start in the area. Created by entrepreneurial women, for women, the Entrepreneurial Women’s Expo is looking to bring together the best and brightest women in the local business scene for a day of discussion,

networking and growth.

The initiative was launched by Jessica Dolan, owner of Room To Breathe Home Organizing and Staging, who said it had been “on my list of to-dos” for the last five years.

This year, she said, just seemed to be the year.

Female entrepreneurs, she said, are one of the fastest-growing business segments in the nation. Dolan said she started the idea of the exposition and it has snowballed since.

“They (female business owners) are popping up everywhere ... and I just thought it would be great to get some exposure for them,” she said.

The daylong event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and run through 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Toftrees Resort and Conference Center. The schedule features a series of speakers, as well as vendor exhibits and what Dolan promises will be some “fun surprises.”

“I’ve tried to design an event so that not only is it really fun and lots of laughs, but also educational,” she said. “The idea is to make everyone feel very comfortable and bring them together ... and kind of think outside the box and celebrate yourself and your business.”

More information is available online at www.ewesc.com. Alpha ad garners award

If you have seen the Alpha Fire Company commercial that has been on television and radio recently, then you’re already familiar with Loaded Creative ( www.weareloaded.com), the company that created the spot.

The firm’s work with the fire company recently earned it a Telly — a national award that recognizes local, regional and cable television commercials, programs and segments, as well as film and video production.

Each year there are more than 1,000 entrants, and a large number of winners, but what Mark Dello Stritto, owner of Loaded, said sets the award apart in his mind was the recognition that was received for a community-minded endeavor.

The advertising campaign was funded through state and federal recruitment grants to promote volunteer fire service in the community.

What emerged were several audio and visual commercials that have aired on both local television and radio.

Dello Stritto said that for Loaded, the highlight of the campaign was working with the Alphas.

“To see how they operate ... to see the camaraderie, it was just awesome,” he said.

Part of the company’s filming included talking stock video “B-roll” at the fire station. While they were at the station an emergency call came in and the fire crews responded — which became part of the footage that made it into the television spots.

“It was really interesting to see (the call come in),” Dello Stritto said. “I think we were fortunate to capture it.”

Nick Malawskey can be reached at 235-3928 or nmalawsk@centredaily.com.

He also writes a business blog at www.centredaily.com.