NEW SCOTLAND – The New Scotland Business Builders will host a trade show at the Voorheesville Public Library on April 26.  Businesses and business owners from all over New Scotland will be participating, giving demonstrations and handing out food samples, holding give-away contests, and building rapport between business owners and the community they serve. 

The Business Builders group was formed in October by Janna Schillinglaw, a New Scotland Realtor who said she was tired of feeling “disconnected” from other business owners in town.  She says the trade show will be the Builders’ premiere public event.

“I wanted to get to know my business neighbors,” said Schillinglaw.  “It’s an opportunity for business people to get out of the workplace and re-introduce themselves to the community that they serve.”

She said that, as New Scotland will likely see some kind of development in the next decade, it was that much more important to promote solidarity between business owners.

“Local business is critical to the future of our town, and we should be supporting the people who have businesses here, who live and work here,” she said.  “I wanted to create a group that could respond to a changing community and guide the kind of development coming into the town.” 

The trade show will run from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature over a dozen of the area’s businesses and community organizations, including the Albany County Rural Housing Alliance, Gio’s Culinary Studio, Morgan’s Toffee, and the local Kiwanis chapter.  The show will be held both indoors and out, rain or shine.  Schillinglaw said children are invited to the event as well; there will be a Bouncy Bounce.

“This is not just for networking,” said Schillinglaw.  “We hope the community comes out to support their businesses.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the library and several local charities.  The event is free and open to the public.  Schillinglaw said there is still a limited amount of space open for any businesses that are considering last-minute participation.

“We’re here to stay, and we will continue to grow,” she said of her organization.  “We encourage any business in town to contact us and join our efforts.”