By Blackwell Thomas, The Southern
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 11:28 PM CDT
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 Alan Kuczynski, president of FWS Solid Suface Specialist Inc., of Carbondale, talks with Splattered Ink operations manager and co-owner Kelly Eileen Jones during a marketing fair sponsored by Carbondale Main Street on Wednesday at the Carbondale Civic Center. (STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN)
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CARBONDALE - For those gathered inside the Carbondale Civic Center on Wednesday, the message to small businesses was clear: The economy may be sputtering but, when it comes to promoting your business, now is not the time to let off the gas.
Scores of people attended the first Regional Marketing Fair, which featured about 20 local companies gathered to share information about advertising opportunities and other creative ways to market.
Booths, displays and tents lined the inside of the Civic Center representing marketing companies like Arthur Agency and 1187 Creative as well as media outlets like WSIL, KFVS and The Southern Illinoisan.
The event was sponsored by Carbondale Main Street and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. As attendees bustled by her, Main Street Director Meghan Cole said now is the time for just such an event.
"We saw a need for businesses to be more informed about marketing throughout the region," she said. "Together with the Chamber, this is an opportunity to get out the word."
The 'word,' Cole said, is a reminder that marketing is particularly important during tough economic times.
"Cutting your marketing during a recession is like throwing in the towel," she said. "If you are not putting yourselves out there you are going to lose business."
Under the Silkworm Inc. tent, employees were handing out gift packs and getting feedback on the company's updated logo, which features a rather happy looking worm.
Sam Bell is a marketing coordinator for Silkworm, which provides graphic design and apparel services.
Bell agreed with Cole's sentiment and said the timing is right for promotional companies like Silkworm to raise their profile.
"We know the economy is bad right now," she said. "But we want people to know what we can do to make them extend out into the community."
A few feet away, Splattered Ink, a graphic design and Web development company displayed samples of the company's work including an array of print materials.
But there weren't just promotional and media companies represented at the fair.
At the Red Cross table, visitors were reminded of an upcoming blood drive.
Across the room, Guido and Audrey Bernstein had a booth where they were informing people about GoChi, a health drink that hails from the Himalayas.
Cole said when the idea for the fair was hatched she hoped it would attract at least 15 companies. Twenty signed up.
Thanks to the strong response, Cole said she expects to host the event next year.
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