Nearly 100 businesses showed off their wares Friday and Saturday to about 1,000 people attending the 2007 Pitt County Business Expo.

The event was the first general business expo organized by the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce since 2004, said Scott Senatore, chamber marketing director.

Jason A. Frizzelle/The Daily Reflector (ENLARGE)

KEVIN ROYSE prepares a dish at the Christinne's Seafood Grill and Chop House booth during the 2007 Pitt County Business Expo.

"Our membership requested we put it together and our mission is to support them anyway we can," he said. The Friday evening event was for chamber members while Saturday was open to the general public.

Recent events have concentrated on specific areas of business: automobiles, home and garden and boats, Senatore said. A general expo gives people a chance see the variety of services available in Greenville, he said.

"Our goal is to get as many people in here with their booths to showcase their business and what they offer to potential customers," Senatore said.

Scents of food and other fragrances wafted through the main hall at the Greenville Convention Center as vendors handed out donuts and demonstrated air purifiers. A local bank gave people a chance to win prizes in a booth that blew play money around.

Laura Bellos, co-owner of Just Dogs, which sells clothing and gourmet treats for dogs, was hoping to drum up new business Saturday.

After a successful Christmas season, Bellos said business had slowed down so she was looking for exposure to new customers.

"We've been having a lot of customers stopping by," she said. "We weren't going to come, but a few people said 'yes, it costs money, but it will make you money.' I absolutely think it will help our business."

U.S. Cellular was title sponsor of the expo.

"We wanted to show the community what services are offered and get to know them and where the local (businesses) are," said Dee Williams, a U.S. Cellular sales representative.

Ginger Livingston can be contacted

at glivingston@coxnc.com

and 329-9573.