35 vendors showcased at Chamber conference

Within minutes, Bill Scullion snagged himself a captive audience of red, yellow and orange people.

“Everybody gets a kick out of this,” Scullion said, holding up a handheld infrared detection machine.

About seven people clamored to hold the thing, just a few of dozens on Thursday who milled inside a conference room at the Best Western hotel in Waynesboro.

More than 30 Shenandoah Valley businesses set up booths for the fifth annual Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase, with vendors eager to discuss their companies and share stories.

“Look at how hot you are!” one woman said, point the infrared gun toward Darin Kidd, of Pre-Paid Legal Service, Inc.

She jostled his shoulders, “I didn’t mean it that way!” she laughed.

Scullion said he first set up a booth at the showcase last year. He said he noticed an increase in foot traffic at the event this year.

His company, ProEngergy Consultants, specializes in thermography to find where heat escapes from homes. He said the infrared technology helps take the guesswork out of finding those household weaknesses and can lead to cheaper solutions.

He pointed to a display basket filled with inexpensive sealants and glues.

“A lot of times, that’s all it takes to heat a house up,” Scullion said. “January was out best month ever, and it’s because it’s so cold.”

Chamber Vice President of Community Development Donna Elkins said the conference gets bigger each year.

“It’s a great way for our vendors to showcase what they have to offer,” Elkins said. “It’s a good way for our community to become educated about a lot of services.”

The event, which included several seminars and motivational speeches, was open to the public. Elkins said the space constraints prevented more than 35 booths at the showcase, though the Chamber includes about 950 members.

Bob Johnson, one of the motivational speakers, said he hoped to push the importance of customer service in his speech to business owners.

“I think customer services has evaporated,” he said. “What would attract me is knowing [a business] cared about me. Knowing that they’re there for me.”

Johnson, a pastor who also worked as a first responder in New York City after Sept. 11, said success won’t come unless businesses are willing to share with others — including their dealings with the public.

Other open seminars included speeches about health care topics from nurses and doctors at Augusta Health in Fishersville.