Kalamazoo County Expo Center — Attraction in Kalamazoo Charter Township

Typically Enjoyable, Poor Event Information Dissemination (also=Loss of Potential Revenue/Participation/Future), Good Building for Events, Untapped Community-Centered Opportunity with Benefit Potential Greater Than Financial Output

Over the last 20+ years, I've enjoyed many Expo Center events; however, I wish there was a quarterly "Upcoming Events" USPS mailing that included relevant information for attendees and potential participants (see below for details).

How do most people find out what's going on?

I can't use social media or purchase the local newspaper, don't/shouldn't drive more than necessary, and so far, nothing brings me near the Expo Center neighborhood, so stopping to pick up a flyer (if they exist and if the doors are open) isn't an option.

I could go online, but when? Is it accurate? When and how often is it updated? How do I know if it's the final final schedule? Are things added regularly? As much as I enjoy Expo events, I don't want to add "check Expo website" to my weekly task list.

Maybe an email with an "add to calendar" feature would do the trick, but one message out of thousands might be more easily overlooked than a USPS mailer. I don't get any unsolicited mail except from AT&T and political campaigns and would be glad to receive relevant local community information.

I can only imagine that there's an untapped revenue/community participation source within my demographic.

I'm not unique, and unless word of mouth somehow finds us, we will only engage a small fraction of what we might had we necessary information at hand far enough ahead of time—to be used in whatever way works for the individual: wall calendar, Gmail calendar, posting on fridge door, INSIDE fridge fridge door...!

I think the host is to advertise, but if the Expo Center could allocate some resources to boost general community event information—maybe charging a small non-negotiable, flat fee and funding the rest—it seems that everyone would benefit.

Relevant Information includes, but is, by all means, not limited to: -event name -event description -dates -times -cost -specific rules/prohibited items/activities such as "no strollers" -contact information for general questions -contact information for how to participate (if applicable); mail early enough to accommodate participation/wait list -contact information for vendors/how to become a vendor -contact information for volunteers/how to become a volunteer -emergency/after hours contact information

Overall it's a good place, but I'm rarely there because I don't know what's going on, and that brings it down to two-three stars. KPL, KVM and other places USPS mail event information. It's very beneficial.

Excepting selling events or, without a clear, public invitation, it's difficult for new, interested parties to figure out what the event is all about. There's an unease and wariness that accompanies the unknown...is it "members only" or can anyone show up? Kids?

That's a problem when the actual aim is to encourage participation, engage with the community, generate interest in diverse subjects, provide a place for activities for like-minded folks, help foster H2H (human to human) real, live, in person relationships (makes the community more "real"), and provide alternative—often educational—sources of entertainment.

Since events are based on an interest, attendees may be happy to meet others like them (little ones, teens, tweens, and adults!) enjoy a sense of belonging, find mentors and alternatives to solo and/or other, less wise, diversions.

In that vein, the country could provide bus/van transportation from a few centralized locations (I have ideas). Start small, don't judge or segregate, stay small enough to maintain absolute integrity. Honor/fulfill all agreements made with community members.

There's an opportunity that could benefit the community in far reaching ways at a relatively small financial and low resource burden.

In time, word of mouth and regular engagement would probably reduce the need for...

I was here this Friday and Saturday for the Women's Expo. It was nothing but a horrible experience. First, on Thursday we arrived to set up. We were about 5 minutes early and rudely to we must leave and wait till 1. We were find waiting but come on, say it nicely. We payed about $800 for our booth. Once we were in we had to ask for everything. We payed for electricity, we had to hunt down someone to get the cored down. Keep in mine we only had so much time to set up. We brought in pallets of stuff and was rudely told by a man to not drag them on the floor. I looked at him in confusion and said "we have a pallet jack, they have never touched the floor." He continued to say "well no need to attack me." Honestly I wouldn't have written this review if this was the end of it but the amount of people that were there was so small. They need to advertise more especially for all the money you pay for a booth. Other sellers felt the same way. The internet that we paid for was spotty and made running credit cards hard and us look stupid, it was just one thing after another. I don't think we made 10% of what we spent and our prices where those of either closeout or wholesale. The only positive was seeing the animals from the animal shelter get seen and hopefully adopted, meet other sellers, and the few nice/helpful workers...

Attended Wednesday night BINGO as first time players. We were warmly welcomed and quickly showed what to buy and where to pay. We were clueless. We were trying to figure out the games and I accidentally called on a "progressive", was quickly corrected, but the BINGO police didn't nab us. Some sweet ladies in the back started helping us along mid way. We definitely provided the entertainment! We didn't win anything (I think 🤷🏿‍♀️), but we had a good time. We will probably attend another Wednesday or Thursday night BINGO, but we will be better prepared next time.

Things we learned: *Cash only (ATM in lobby) *Doors open at 4:30PM *Early games start at 6PM *Regular games start at 6:30PM *No admittance after 7PM *Bring food, drinks, warm clothes (it's freezing in there!) *You may want a seat cushion (chairs aren't the best). *Bring a sense of humor!

3 stars because information was hard to find online, the chairs were uncomfortable, and we froze the entire time. There wasn't any food or drinks to purchase...