N.E.W. Printing of Appleton was among the first-year participants at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo.
Like others, N.E.W. Printing was looking to make connections with potential clients in the Green Bay area.
"We've been pretty steady," said Daniel Woolf, an account executive with the commercial printer "But we've had to do a lot of legwork to stay where we are at."
He said the market seems to be showing movement with some businesses allocating more money to their marketing budgets.
"From our point of view, things are starting to turn around," Woolf said. "Back in 2008 and 2009 it was pretty tough. It hasn't been an immediate turn around, but it's slowly picking back up."
More than 175 businesses attended the annual event held Wednesday at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Networking and promotion are among the main focuses of the expo, which also included educational seminars on topics such as providing customers with a "winning" experience and best practices for using social media.
Jamie Strohmeyer of Green Bay struck out on his own with Green Bay Floor Restore in April after his previous employer eliminated his job.
The expo offered his startup business a chance to get its name in front of potential customers ? as well as networking with other businesses from the area.
"Being the first year, I can't complain. I'm paying my bills and covering my overhead," Strohmeyer said with a laugh. "But I'm constantly working it. That's what brings me here, to get my business out to people and let them know what I do."
Green Bay Floor Restore specializes in cleaning indoor and outdoor hard surfaces like tile, natural stone, grout and carpet.
Strohmeyer said he was confident he'd find jobs directly linked to the expo.
"If I get 10 leads out of this and two of them turn into jobs, it pays for itself," he said. "Even if they don't call you today, or next month or the month after I want them to remember who Green Bay Floor Restore is.
"It's always staying in front of that customer somehow," said Strohmeyer, the sole employee of the business.
Established expo businesses also made a return this year doing the same thing as the new additions ? getting their names in front of potential customers.
"It's a good way to get our name out and remind people we're around," said Christie Dvorachek of Biebel's Catering & Rental in Bellevue.
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