Salem Breaks a Leg at Show-Biz 2009 (VIDEO)

"It's a great event, a great time to really celebrate the business and the local community connection..." - Mike McLaran, Salem Chamber of Commerce

Photo and video by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Thousands flocked to the 2009 Show-Biz Trade Show Thursday, proving once again that Salem area businesses can snag the interest of local residents by offering an endless and varying array of products and services.

Salem Chamber of Commerce Director Mike McLaran is the Salem business community's point man.

"We've got a lot of interest and energy inside as businesses show off their wares to literally thousands of Salem area citizens," McLaran said.

He helps guide and build events like Show-Biz each year with the help of other key members of local commerce like Banker Ken Jundt, who believes the special event generates a lot of interest that in turn directly impacts the local economy, keeping local dollars here.

"It really does benefit a lot of the small business in this community as well as allowing some of us to become more aware of some of those businesses. It's just tremendous and the kind of thing we want to support and sponsor."

Once the vendors are situated and everything is in place, the Jackman Long building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds opens its doors to the public. The lines to get inside are always long, and perhaps even more so this year.

McLaran said, "The citizens that are attending this, and shopping in Salem, are doing that same thing by committing to support the local economy."

McLaran says Show-Biz simply encapsulates what Salem area businesses always have to offer, every day.

"It's a great event, a great time to really celebrate the business and the local community connection that makes things go and we're just pleased and delighted to have another successful, Show-Biz Trade Show event."

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