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FAIRHOPE — Connecting people to people is what it's all about at the Eastern Shore Business Expo, which will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Fairhope Civic Center.

"People want to do business with people, not with businesses and finding people they can trust is what it's all about," said Michelle Murrill, founder and CEO of Southern View Media, which hosts the expo along with Pelican Promos. "For businesses, it's the same thing, being able to connect with people and show that trust."

This is the fifth year for the Expo, which was inspired by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Expo, Murrill said.

"We wanted to do something to showcase businesses on the Eastern Shore and reached out to the Chamber of Commerce," she said. "They said if we would take it on, they would support us and they have every year, hosting a booth at the Expo and giving their support wherever needed."

This year's event features 56 businesses featured in the traditional expo from noon to 5 p.m. and is expected to draw between 200 and 500 people, Murrill said.

There will be breakout sessions throughout the event on home buying, marketing, financial planning, etc.

"We have a total of seven breakout sessions on a wide range of topics," Murrill said, "designed to help attendees be better consumers."

This year the expo will host its first cocktail contest which will feature four local restaurants for happy hour starting at 5 p.m.
Balloons and face painting will be available for children, and headshot sessions will take place throughout the day.

Admission is free.

"When we started our company, our mission statement was to give back to the community whenever possible and we feel that we're accomplishing that goal by putting people together," she said. "It's all about giving back to the community."