The Small Business Expo and Taste of The Chamber will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at the American Legion DeWolfe Function Hall at 94 Eastern Avenue, Rochester. Chamber member small businesses are being offered the opportunity to develop new business contacts and to showcase their products and services in a professional trade show format.

The Chamber is pleased to announce that the beloved Red Sox veteran, Johnny Pesky will sign autographs at the Small Business Expo & Taste of the Chamber. The 88 year old Pesky served the Red Sox as a player for eight years and in his later years as a manager and batting coach. Also known as Mr. Red Sox, Pesky may be most well known for Fenway’s right field foul pole that bears his name – The Pesky Pole. Sponsored by KG Sports of Rochester, Johnny Pesky will be on hand from 5:30 pm to 7:30 to meet and greet guests and sign autographs for $15.00. KG Sports of the Lilac Mall will sell NH Red Sox nation t-shirts, other Red Sox apparel and 8 x 10 photographs of Pesky at the event. Any item may be used for autographs. Pesky will also bring his 2007 World Series Championship ring so guests can get a firsthand look at the elaborate jeweled ring that symbolizes the unbelievable repeat championship of 2007.

The Small Business Expo and Taste of the Chamber event is co-sponsored by the American Legion Post 7, Ashwood Development Corporation, ASAP Security Professionals, Federal Savings Bank, Ocean Bank, and Public Service of New Hampshire. A Taste of the Chamber featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and food items are being provided and a cash bar will also be available throughout the event.

The event is open to the public and admission is free. Guests attending the event will receive a program that includes a ‘round the hall passport. After visiting each exhibitor, guests will be eligible for the Small Business Expo raffle to win a $500.00 cash prize courtesy of Laconia Savings Bank. Ralphie Marino, well known morning DJ at WERZ 107.1 FM, and Met-Life’s Snoopy will be on hand to meet and greet guests. Guests will also have an opportunity to win Red Sox tickets courtesy Holy Rosary Credit Union or Sugarland Tickets courtesy of ASAP Security Professionals. The event is expected to be a fun and exciting evening! See the list of exhibitors who will be on hand at the Small Business Expo.

CHAMBER RAFFLE OFFERS 7 FANTASTIC PRIZES WITH A VARIETY OF SPENDING CHOICES

An exciting twist has been added to this year’s Chamber raffle that offers members a tremendous promotional benefit. Raffle winners will be able to select from a list of “participating” member businesses to spend their prize winnings. This will provide the winners with a wide variety of options for spending their winnings. This year’s raffle will offer 7 fantastic prizes. One $10,000 grand prize, four $1,000 prizes and two $500 prizes will be raffled to be spent at the winner's choice of participating Chamber member businesses. To purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber or see the link on this page to purchase a ticket online. Only 600 tickets are being sold at $50. The drawing will be held upon all tickets being sold but no later than August 15, 2008.

To be a “participating” member in this fantastic promotional opportunity, the fee is only $50. For this fee, a Chamber member business can receive months of promotion in the Chamber newsletter and website plus the opportunity to be among the destinations chosen by the winners. And, if you purchase a $50 raffle ticket, we will discount the member promotional participation fee to only $25. So, for only $75, you can receive a ticket and promotion as a participating member. Don't miss out.