Business Expo Black Tie Preview Continues to Shine

Jeanne Liedel couldn’t stop smiling during Thursday night’s Black Tie Preview Party for the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s annual Business and Lifestyles Exposition at Wyandotte’s .

Liedel, owner of in Trenton, was catering three other parties off-site that night, but made sure there was plenty of delicious grilled mako shark and fried calamari to serve to the estimated 800 attendees of the 2011 “Downriver Business Expo.” In fact, the shark arrived from Boston just hours before the start of the party.

“I’m totally enjoying this,” said Liedel, who is the exclusive caterer of the Italian-American Club in Wyandotte and the Ford Yacht Club on Grosse Ile. “I have a phenomenal staff and wonderful, talented chefs working for me. This gets my face out there to meet my clients and get new people to try my food. … We’re a tight-knit group Downriver.”

More than 25 of the area’s chefs were on hand to provide “culinary masterpieces” at the annual party that provides a sneak preview to the Friday and Saturday expo that is open to the public. Attendees in formal attire can enjoy cocktails and other beverages while mingling with old friends and making new acquaintances.

During the black tie, a fashion show presented by of Wyandotte took center stage, using local residents and business people to model fashions.

“The black tie brings in a different demographic than you see during the public days,” said Sandy Mull, president of Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. “We get the people who are community leaders that may not come on Friday or Saturday. Truthfully, we try to draw in different demographics. And this is just plain fun.”

Mull said the expo provides an annual opportunity for residents and business people to check out the products and services of many Downriver businesses–all under one roof.

“I think the chamber is more open and more connected with the community than we have been, and that’s good for everybody,” Mull said. “If our businesses don’t prosper, the community doesn’t prosper.”

Representatives from Downriver were out in force, manning their usual station just left of the expo entrance, greeting prospective clients and distributing cloth bags to eager recipients. The bags hold the other goodies the attendees collect while walking around the expo.

“This is about bringing businesses in the Downriver area together for a night of celebration and information,” said Jerry Griffith, community president of MBT. “It gives them a chance to showcase what they do.”

Executive Vice President Scott McKelvey agreed.

“This is one of the premier events Downriver; I wouldn’t miss it,” said McKelvey, who has attended the expo black tie for the past 20 years. “You’ve got all of the businesses Downriver coming together to have a great evening. You get to see your friends in the community.”

U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-15th District) and his wife, Debbie, attend annually and greet many of their constituents.

“This is a wonderful event that has been going on for years and will continue for many more years,” Congressman Dingell said. “This helps make Downriver better for all of us. … It’s great for morale and these are great people, as you know.”

Debbie Dingell said she enjoys connecting with friends and exchanging ideas.

“I have been coming to this forever,” she said. “This is the place we all come together and tell the story about what a great place the Downrivers are. It’s an economic engine of southeastern Michigan and it’s a jewel. It’s home and I’m proud of it.”

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano called Downriver “one of my favorite locations in Wayne County,” saying he has attended the business expo since his days as Wayne County sheriff.

“I like all the people and activity,” he said. “I see a lot of friends and get to interact with them. It gives you some business ideas as well. … Downriver is a very dedicated bunch of people that keep working and keep grinding it out. And they’ll continue to do so.”

John Wilkie, a partner in Trenton-based , enjoys the event as he's able to talk to business people and government officials he has designed buildings for throughout the years. Wilkie and his wife, Barb, have been attending expos for “probably 25 years.”

“I think it’s wonderful that all of these Downriver people are here looking their best,” he said. “The men are in tuxedos and the women are in beautiful dresses. This is one of the most business-related functions that I ever attend.”

Lynn Steffensky, executive director of the , said attending the black tie allows the association to help spread the word about the group’s 180 members through networking.

“I love this event,” said Steffensky, who also modeled in the fashion show. “This is the best expo they’ve had in the many 15 years I’ve been coming. I like the layout. I like the restaurants that they’ve had. I just like the whole atmosphere. I think it’s great.

“I think Sandy Mull and the people she works with do a fantastic job. I always look forward to it. It’s like the event for Downriver every year.”

Pamela Tierney, energy systems program manager for , recently relocated Downriver from San Diego. She attended the expo black tie to help spread the word about a grant the city of Wyandotte received from the Department of Energy. The program is called “.”

“We’re here networking with residents and businesses, talking to them about saving energy and reducing costs,” Tierney said. “It’s been fun. We met a lot of great people. We actually signed up some people for audits. It’s a great opportunity to let people know what we’re doing out there. Wyandotte is a very innovative and is constantly looking for ways to help the community. All the grants we’ve received are a perfect example.”

Trenton resident Wendy Laski, who owns Vital Energy Solutions, said she enjoyed the networking opportunities at the expo black tie.

“I think it’s a very nice event,” said Laski, who has been attending the expo for seven years. “We’re having a wonderful time. The food is awesome. We will definitely be back next year.”

Cheryl Carr, co-owner of of Trenton, served shrimp bruschetta and the restaurant’s signature house potato to satisfied attendees.

“We enjoy being in the community and supporting the chamber,” Carr said. “Since we’re a new business, we want people to try our food and take a copy of our carryout menu. We’re trying to build our business. Any time you have this many people together in one place, it’s a good thing.”

“This event promotes everybody’s business,” added partner Dan Woods. “Everybody Downriver is here. It’s a great event.”

Greg Earles and Lisa Darin of Wyandotte said they were having a great time.

“We come to sample some of the local foods and beverages and support the chamber of commerce and its businesses,” Earles said.

Earles, a sales representative for Tuttle Supply in Wyandotte, also met a contact from BASF who was in attendance.

The festival committee manned a table “to strengthen our community ties and to invite people to our upcoming festival,” said Jen Piechocki.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback and they’re going to visit our festival next weekend,” she said.

“They’re telling us they love our Polish food, including our homemade pierogi,” added Betty Toth, who also raved about the sports program at St. Stan’s.

Some visitors were so impressed with what they saw at the black tie preview that they asked for applications to join the chamber. Veteran chamber members like Jeanne Liedel said the chamber and its networking Chamber Connections group have helped make Jeanne’s Catering what it is today.

“The chamber has been very, very, very positive in my business,” Liedel said.

For Mull, the black tie preview “was a great night.”

“Several people said it was the best one in a long time and we agree,” Mull said. “We think the food was fabulous. DJ Monte was terrific. (The music playing) was a lot different than in the past. It was more upbeat. We actually did have a younger crowd.”

 “I just want to say that our staff is fabulous,” Mull added. “They just do such a great job. When I take the kudos for the expo, I take them for all of the staff because they do the hard work and make it happen. I just cheer them on.”

The Business and Lifestyles Exposition is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event includes door prizes, contests, stage presentations and networking opportunities. The Caruso Brothers will hold a reunion concert Friday night. Saturday is Family Fun Day, featuring a family fun zone, contests for children and special appearances, including Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS, Cinderella, the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders and “The Biggest Losers” father and son team of Ron and Mike Morelli. On Saturday, children can register to win a Wii game system. Yack Arena is located at 3131 Third Street, a block west of Biddle Avenue and a block north of Eureka Road. Ample free parking is available.