Jettisoning into Indy this June
■ SEK Biz Con 2022, a business expo like none other, comes to Indy with vendors, fun, food and free admission
A brand new business expo will be blasting its way into Independence this summer. SEK Biz Con 2022 is slated to be one of the biggest events in the area and is brought to you by title sponsor Independence Community College and Montgomery County Media, the home of the Independence Daily Reporter, Coffeyville Journal, Good News and a*muse magazine. SEK Biz Con 2022 will take place at the Independence Community College West Campus, conveniently located at 2615 West Main Street in Independence on June 11, 2022 from 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. and will be free for the public.
This business expo will be like none other in the area, bringing customers and participants from the entire Southeast Kansas area into one convenient, central location to help them celebrate, support and become acquainted with all the businesses we have in the area. SEK Biz Con, the brainchild of local media group, Montgomery County Media, was previously slated to launch in 2020. But thanks to the pandemic, plans got pushed back a few years because of restrictions. Now that it seems that those have eased, it’s full speed ahead for one of the newest expo in Southeast Kansas.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch this annual business expo,” said Montgomery County Media’s publisher, Josh Umholtz. “Southeast Kansas is loaded with products and services to meet every single need of our residents. SEK Biz Con 2022 will bring together area business of all stripes to one location where they can showcase their products and services to attendees, network and fellowship with customers and future clients, provide educational opportunities and demonstrate in real time why there is absolutely no reason to look or shop outside our region.”
Independence Community College is the proud title sponsor of this years’ SEK Biz Con expo. “Supporting our local businesses and industry is so important and something we try to do every day,” said Jaicey Gillum, Executive Director of Academic Outreach. “The businesses in our area are great assets to our communities and we want to help keep them thriving and growing. Through our Indy Connect program, we are able to grow our partnerships and learn what they need. This might be specifically training for new employees, advertising their openings to our current students, helping create certifications and so much more. As we continue to grow our Indy Connect program, we hope to keep connecting with more businesses and can’t wait to sponsor this great event.”
Area businesses are encouraged to sponsor booth spaces, which will be available both indoor and outdoors. Here you can reach an amazing amount of new customers. You can showcase your services, perhaps do some hiring, or even teach a class or two, all in one convenient location. Providing networking between industries and businesses will also be a goal of the expo. “An additional benefit to the businesses featured at SEK Biz Con 2022, will be the ability to network with other businesses that are facing similar challenges,” Umholtz explained. “Here they can celebrate together the value that they bring to Southeast Kansas… All under one roof in a dynamic and fun atmosphere that will be free for the general publictheir current and future clients and customers-to enjoy.”
As previously stated, there will be numerous businesses and vendors present both indoors and out, as well as break away sessions where vendors can tell potential customers all about their products or services. Not only that, but there will be food trucks throughout the outside area to tempt your taste buds. Have kids? GREAT! There will be bounce houses, face-painting and many other activities for children. There will be door prizes called out hourly, swag bags and much more.
“Our aim is to support the incredibly important idea that the hard earned dollars of our residents should be kept local, both to the significant benefit of our economic health and vitality and to our quality of life,” said Umholtz. “The businesses that participate in SEK Biz Con 2022 will vividly showcase the breadth of products and services offered in our very own backyard and prove the point that there is absolutely no need to spend those dollars elsewhere.”
Be sure to keep a keen eye on the SEK Biz Con 2022 Facebook page, facebook.com/sekbizcon, for up-to-date information and updates. The Reporter and Journal will also be covering it in depth as new developments occur.