After a several-year hiatus, the annual Ocean State Business Expo & Networking Event makes its triumphant return to help businesses find new connections and improve on existing partnerships.
The long-awaited event will happen on Wednesday, November 12, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Doors open at 3:00 PM and will continue until 7:00 PM. Attendees can expect exhibitors from a multitude of business ventures throughout Rhode Island and surrounding area, treated to food and drink samples from local restaurants, and some other surprises.
This year’s soiree is headed by the trio of Susan Lataille, Rick Lataille, and Jay “Uncle Jay” White. They brought back the event because of the enormous potential of new connections to be made while strengthening existing partnerships.
Susan believes that now is the perfect time to bring back the popular event.
“This is going to be the largest networking opportunity of the year! We’re expecting 120 exhibitors and 1,000 attendees or more throughout the four hours,” she said. Susan is a long time networker throughout Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “Many ventures started because business people took the important first step by attending and introducing themselves. Since the pandemic, more people are determined to start new endeavors and find other people who can help them get there.”
Susan mentioned the Expo’s success came from companies stepping up. She cited businesses who are sponsoring the event, to show their support for this community, and challenging other leaders to follow suit. Susan noted that a few companies have already committed to participating.
CompLyons HR Consulting was the first company to snag a table to ensure great placement. Owner Patricia Lyons-Bousquet said that it means plenty to meet others and share stories with them. She looks forward to participating in the Expo.
“I network throughout the state,” said Patty, who recently celebrated her first business anniversary. “There are numerous reasons to attend this event. Allowing myself to meet other professionals who may need some guidance is one reason. Also, finding other people to work with is a wonderful thing to do here. Being part of this event will benefit everyone who either has a table or walks around.”
There are multiple levels of support companies can invest in to gain pre-event and event-day exposure. Each level offers increasing perks and benefits.
Among the sponsorship levels available are:
Show Name (one available). Given the highest visibility location, double space, logo on gift bags, logo featured, and mentioned and an exhibitors/attendees list.
Premier Booth (10 available). Spots featuring front of aisle corner tables, high-visibility location, logo featured on website, and level exclusivity.
Other levels include Badge Sponsor, Liquor Table Sponsor, and Registration Table Sponsor.
Rick Lataille said that the Expo is wonderful for bringing people together. Part of accomplishing that is by keeping folks engaged with such activities as photo booths, games, trivia, and more. All of it is geared toward making the 2025 Expo memorable.
Rick’s involvement with past events gives him hope for continued success for this one and beyond.
“In my profession, we strive to provide people with a great experience,” he said. “People will remember how much fun they had someplace. That often leads to them returning. By creating awareness for this event, attendees will be treated to some fantastic people and ideas.”
About the Event:
The Ocean State Business Expo & Networking Event, a cornerstone event for Rhode Island’s vibrant business community. Founded in 2009, by Jay White and Peter George, the Expo quickly became a must-attend event for local entrepreneurs and business professionals seeking to expand their networks and grow their enterprises.
In 2011, a pivotal change occurred when Susan Lataille, with her extensive experience in event production, joined Jay White, bringing a fresh perspective and new energy to the expo. Together, Susan and Jay successfully produced the event through 2018, creating memorable experiences and invaluable opportunities for attendees.
In 2019, the team welcomed a new addition, Rick Lataille, who brought his expertise from the entertainment industry, adding an element of fun and creativity to the event’s production. After a brief hiatus, the dynamic trio of Susan, Rick, and Jay has reunited, with a renewed commitment to supporting the small business community in Rhode Island. Recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities facing local businesses today, they are excited to bring back the Ocean State Business Expo & Networking Event.
With a combined expertise spanning over 60 years, their team is dedicated to creating an environment where the small business community can thrive through connection, learning, and collaboration.
Join them as they celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Ocean State Business Expo & Networking Event.
For more details about the Expo, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susan Lataille at susan@susanlataille.com or 401-919-4944.
Further details may be found by visiting the website at OceanStateBusinessExpo.com.
