Hospitality vendors, customers connect at Business Ledger expo

The Tinley Park Convention Center was the place to taste, sip and sample the best of Southland hospitality Wednesday at the second annual Hospitality Expo - Southwest, hosted by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.

More than 700 people attended the event that featured more than 50 local businesses, ranging from caterers and restaurants to hotels and meeting venues. Vendors from party planners and DJs to amusement rides and games showed off their wares to the crowd. Parmesan Station in Tinley Park was handing out samples of its stuffed breads, pasta and pesto sauce to passers-by.

Manager Eric Rose said the event has been good for business, noting customers who use the company's catering usually will also visit restaurant. "This really brings in the best for both of our businesses," Rose said.

Mitch Dicker, director of Clowning Around Celebration Authority in Mundelein, has been a fixture at the expos for the past several years.

"This is the perfect place to really interact with people and with others in the industry," he said.

Lorraine Barnes of Southwest Community Services in Tinley Park was with a group of attendees scouting out local restaurants and caterers. But her mission was unique. The not-for-profit organization recently renovated its kitchen for use as a training facility.

"We're really here to look at these businesses and see what are the skills that we'll need to train people to find jobs in the industry," Barnes said.

Partners in the event were Chicago Southland and Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors bureaus; Chicago Southland, Tinley Park and Orland Park chambers of commerce; Tinley Park Convention Center; hereschicago.com; NCA and the Illinois Restaurant Association.

Two more hospitality expos are planned for the year: the DuPage Hospitality Expo, Oct. 8 at Abbington Banquets in Lombard, and Chicago Northwest Hospitality Expo, Nov. 12 at Stonegate Banquets in Hoffman Estates. More information can be found on the Daily Herald Business Ledger website, www.dhbusinessledger.com.