Chamber to Host Business Expo, Taste of Brandon

 Residents will be treated to a culinary cornucopia as dozens of restaurants, caterers and food vendors sign on to participate in the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 2011 Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon May 19  from 3:30 to 8 p.m. in the Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.

 Open to the community, the Brandon Business Expo will celebrate its 23rd anniversary this year.

The event has a trade-show setting and annual taste-off competition.  Attracting new participants each year, the Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon will feature more than 200 exhibitors showcasing their businesses. Business industries of all types are welcomed and encouraged to exhibit.

The 2011 presenting sponsors for the event are Ed Morse Cadillac of Brandon and Brandon Auto Mall. Media sponsor for the event is The St. Petersburg Times/The Brandon & South Shore Times. Supporting sponsors include:  MidFlorida Credit Union, MetroPCS, Sam's Club of Brandon, Tampa Electric Co. and APAC.

Individual tickets to the event are now available at www@brandonchamber.com. Tickets purchased before May 19 are $10.  Tickets purchased at the door will be $15. All tickets include single admittance into the show, raffle prizes, give-aways, food sampling from all participants, and an opportunity to vote for favorites.

The 2011 Taste of Brandon participants Include:
Buffalo Wild Wings
Cali Viejo Restaurant
Chick-fil-A at Lake Brandon Village
Copper Bell Cafe
GrillSmith
Hooters
Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs
Jaymer-Que Southern BBQ 
LeAnne's Old-Fashioned Cookies
Mango's at Embassy Suites-Tampa/Brandon
Mimi's Café
Ms. Cyndi's Corner Café 
Planet Smoothie
Sinigual Contemporary Mexican Cuisine
Smokey Bones BBQ and Grill
Tabitha's Tea Room
The Rack Sushi Bar & Billiards Lounge
Tres Amigos Cantina
Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill
Village Inn

Exhibitor space is still available. Additional "taste" participants are welcome as well. Product sales are allowed at the expo. Chamber member booth fees are $225 and prospective member space is available for $325. Booth prices will increase by $50 after May 1.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special accommodations are required, they need to be arranged no later than 48 hours prior to the event.

For registration information, contact Jamie Reid with the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at 8133-689-1221, Ext. 8843, or jreid@brandonchamber.com. Registration is also available online at www.brandonchamber.com.