Viewfinder: At Expo, Business Meets Business

It was an afternoon of collaboration during Wednesday’s 13th annual Willowbrook-Burr Ridge Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. The afternoon featured not only a large venue for potential customers to explore, but a united forum for riding out the recession.

Nearly 80 local businesses participated in the expo, held at Ashton Place, while many companies took the opportunity to roam the floor to contract or hire attendees.

But aside from the more than 300 people who visited the expo, keynote speaker Teri Goudie’s 45 minute speech on effective marketing also drew a large audience.

The former ABC journalist and international media consultant began her speech by telling the crowd that messages are not as important as the tone of what your company is saying and how you make the customer feel.

Another vital point Goudie made was about utilizing social media services like Twitter and Facebook.

“This is a new frontier for many of you, but we have these fantastic, fantastic students who are showing us how to create a better world,” Goudie said.

"Well, you call [College of DuPage] or Hinsdale South and I’m sure there are plenty of students there who will help you embrace this world,” added Goudie, who is a graduate of College of Dupage and Northern Illinois University.

Even when things go bad, Goudie said proper communication saves the day. She referenced the poor manner in which British Petroleum functioned amidst the oil spill last year, and then compared it to how the Chilean government won over the world when 33 coal miners were trapped underground.

“I know I’m married to a reporter and we’re putting a few kids through journalism school, but Chuck Goudie is the last stop on your train,” Goudie said. “If you communicate internally, you don’t have to be afraid of the media because you’re telling a story that’s true and genuine.”

She also said teamwork and continuing to learn are both essential to surviving and thriving in the current economy.