PK Daigo, left, and Sonya Dancoe spoke to Variety about the Marianas Business Trade Show happening on Feb. 23.
THE Marianas Business Network is inviting local small businesses to register for the Marianas Business Showcase Trade Show while they can still take advantage of the $50 early bird registration fee.
The trade show is scheduled for Feb. 23 at Crowne Plaza from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Feb. 1, registration bumps up to $100.
Organizers will provide a 6-foot long table, black tablecloth, table signage and more.
Registrants will also have two free bento lunches with unlimited iced tea and water.
In addition, registrants are invited to a post-event mixer during which MBN will raffle off $1,000.
To register, go to bit.ly/mbstradeshow or send a message to (670) 286-3010 on WhatsApp.
PK Daigo, founder of the Marianas Business Network, said they have space for around 100 presenters and are “actively recruiting” participants.
He and co-chair Sonya P. Dancoe are organizing the trade show to bring residents and business owners face-to-face.
“We want businesses to promote their services and goods,” Daigo said. “We have new residents that don’t know where they can [find] a dry cleaner, a tailor, or someone who wants a band for their event or a photographer. It’s all about connecting the community with their local businesses and having a conversation about the goods and services that they have.”
“We have a lot of beauty salons or make-up artists that are doing their own business,” Dancoe said. “There are a lot of businesses and vendors who can showcase the services they offer,” she added.
“There are some people in our community that want to see what the product is. There are a lot of businesses that are unique and creative, but until we see the product we don’t know about it. That can be a selling point to these vendors,” Dancoe said.
Daigo said MBN’s mission is to support small businesses through free resources, referrals, and advice.
He hopes that supporting small business can benefit the community at large.
“We are in an economy that is failing right now and if we’re not concentrating on our small businesses we will not have a community anymore,” he said. “Small business is everybody’s business. It’s a trickling effect if we don’t help our small businesses thrive — we’re all going to feel the impact of it.”
Dancoe said as businesses shut down, employees could turn to entrepreneurship to support themselves, and MBN could be one avenue to support their growth.
“We’re coming in at the right time and we’re going to be providing resources when needed,” she said.
