Barbara Bell, owner of Inkie's Cartridge Refill Exchange, said the business-to-business communication was the biggest perk of exhibiting at Expoventure.

Local design firm Beyond Web Design cashed in on the idea of networking with other businesses by adding balloon displays to all of its clients' booths.

"We wanted to drive people to our clients and help promote them," said Laurie Tillman, art director at Beyond Web Design. "It also gives us credibility."

MeLinda Schnyder, director of marketing and communication at the Chamber, said Wichita was due for an event like Expoventure. Previously, the Chamber sponsored Ultimate Mixers at Beech Activity Center, which holds only a couple hundred people.

The Chamber offered membership and exhibit specials to businesses that became members when they signed up for the event, and about 15 companies took them up on the offer, she said.

Owner John Dettenwanger, whose business sells software to help small businesses operate, said he would come back to Expoventure next year. "(The event) was a lot more professional than I anticipated," Dettenwanger said.

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