Bridgewater, V.A.- On Oct. 2, Bridgewater College put on an event designed to engage and connect students with local businesses and residents. 

Dr. Maria V. Lugo helped organize the event and expressed that this is Bridgewater’s tenth year celebrating the business expo on campus. As an Associate Professor of Economics and Business Administration, she explained this expo is “a unique opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products to the Bridgewater community.” 

The event was sponsored by the Bridgewater College student chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and the Greater Ashby Business Council of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization is a nationally recognized organization that was established to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of students seeking to develop their own business. 

Larry Elkins, who represented the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization at the expo, expressed that his main goal was to inform and inspire students to be creative in their own endeavors and become entrepreneurs.  

“This year we had the participation of more than 14 local businesses, including businesses from Harrisonburg, Rockingham, and Augusta counties,” said Lugo. 

Each individual business had their own table at the event that displayed information about their business along with a team member who represented their company. This gave students, faculty and staff the opportunity to ask questions to learn more about each business and why they decided to attend the event. 

Many businesses who attended the expo were looking to inform students about their business and get more people involved by answering questions as well passing out brochures, stickers and free prizes. A representative from the Friendly City Food Co-op believed that not many people were aware of what a food co-op is, and was interested in teaching students about them as well as how they functioned. She had a variety of snacks for participants to try. 

Other businesses attended the event in hopes to find and interest students in possibly working for them in the future. A Bridgewater College Alumni, who attended the event representing Camp Sequoia, expressed that she was looking for a responsible student who would perfectly fit the job requirements as a camp counselor. 

Similarly, Angie from BB&T was hoping to help and encourage students to be able to bank locally and independently. 

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization club meets every other Thursday at 5:45 p.m. in Bowman 103.