Business pros network at After Hours Business Fair

COEUR d'ALENE — When it comes to networking, North Idaho’s business professionals know how to throw a party.

People mingled, made new friends and shared business experiences while sipping beverages or nibbling snacks at the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce’s After Hours Business Fair on Tuesday evening.

About 120 different booths filled the bays of The Coeur d'Alene Resort and Convention Center, where businesses and members of the public made friendly exchanges.

"It's all networking," said Brenda Young, program and events manager for the Coeur d'Alene chamber. "It gives exposure to all of our businesses that are members of the

chamber, and not only our chamber members, but to our community."

Young said the business fair, which could see as many as 2,000 people come through in three hours, has been an annual event for almost 20 years. She said it serves as one of the chamber's premier events.

"It’s great to see businesses networking," she said.

As one would expect, many of the business professionals discussed some big topics they have in common: business and the economy.

"I’ve heard from people that we are headed into recession but I don’t see signs from it at this point," said Joe Alfieri, business developer for Express Employment Professionals, a staffing company in Post Falls. "Our business is actually expanding this year dramatically over last year. Our clients seem to be prospering quite well, they’re growing at a rapid pace. We have a lot of associates working in the field."

Alfieri said Express' main problem at the moment is actually finding the people needed to fill all the open positions in such a tight labor market that requires skilled labor and skilled care professionals.

"Some people have left the market, have given up looking for jobs," he said. "We’re looking constantly for people to go to work."

From a bank standpoint, Umpqua Bank community manager Sally Ellingsen, who leaned out the window of the bank's ice cream van while joyfully handing out ice cream bars, said she also feels North Idaho's economy is strong. She said she has been with Umpqua (formerly Sterling Savings Bank) for 15 years, so she understands what banks and citizens experienced at the time of the recession. She said as busy as her bank has been in all departments, from the general public to commercial developers, it's a good sign.

"I’ve run through the whole cycle, and we’re definitely on an upward trend," she said. "We’re seeing a lot of building and restored growth in this area. Inflation is low. Right now, gas prices are low, and that’s contributing greatly to people’s spending ability … it definitely keeps money in people’s pockets.

"We’re back in some really good times."

Nick Granier, marketing coordinator for North Idaho College, said enrollment numbers serve as an indicator of what the economy is doing. He said when enrollment is up, like it was in 2007-2008, the economy usually isn't that great. When enrollment is down, which it is right now, the economy is usually doing well.

"I personally feel like the economy in Coeur d’Alene is strengthening," he said. "You see a lot more opportunities now than there were five or six years ago, and I see it more in industries that are not solely based on tourism or real estate. I see other opportunities for people, such as myself, who work in marketing and communication. There are new opportunities in that field. That’s just an example of positions that are becoming available in Coeur d’Alene or Post Falls that weren’t available six years ago. I think that makes it a stronger economy."

He said he feels politics will have an influence on how communities across the country will survive after the presidential election.

“This election year is crucial to what happens with our economy and what direction we’re trying to go," he said.

Alfieri said he feels the economy is moving along nicely, especially here in North Idaho, where businesses actually care about each other.

"Coeur d’Alene is a very closely knit business community. We’re all looking to help each other achieve success. It’s remarkably different," he said. "People are helping each other here, helping each other grow."