Community Expo opens doors wide

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Community Expo had a different

character to it this year -- it opened to the public, not just to

chamber members.

“This is a good opportunity to bring businesses and residents

together,” said Rose Hancock, interim executive director for the

chamber.

An array of businesses -- including artists, bankers, schools and

salons -- showcased their products and services in 75 booths.

As a band churned out mellow rock rhythms, attendees wandered from

table to table sampling foods and browsing trinkets and information

packets.

According to Hancock, her organization continues to grow: It

brought in 15 new members in the past few weeks.

Hancock said the expo is especially beneficial to newer

businesses.

“This is an excellent way to get the word out,” said Sabine Sato,

representing the Laguna School of Music, which opened three months

ago.

Jack Lynn of Time Defiance Fitness said he came to “meet potential

clients and be a part of the business community.”

Reporting exponential growth in cake sales, Chric Monachelli of

Dolce Monachelli Gourmet Specialties said he was receiving an amazing

response.

The night’s festivities included a raffle -- at $100 per ticket --

of a one-week stay at Papageno Resort in Fiji, donated by owner

Anneliese Schimmelpfennig.