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Four years ago, Dennis Gamble got a chance to better understand the Middletown business community.

At the time, Gamble and his business, PCC Internet Group, were just participants in the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton's Business-to-Business Expo.

Gamble liked what he saw, so much so that he has been the event's primary sponsor for the past three years.

"It's like a secret here in town," Gamble said of the event, which takes place Oct. 18 at The Manchester Inn and Conference Center, 1027 Manchester Ave. "There's a lot of successful people doing what they're doing at that event.

"More than anything, it got us new relationships, because nobody knew we were here," he added.

In its 10th year, the 2006 Business-to-Business Expo will feature 50 to 60 big and small businesses that provide technology, catering, banking, educational, food and beverage, marketing and hospitality products and services.

"You can get just about everything you need to start your business right here in Middletown. That's unique," said Bill Triick, the chamber's president and chief executive. "And we bring all of that right here (to the Expo)."

Although they're keeping quiet on specifics, chamber officials and area executives are expected to unveil new products and services at the expo.

In addition to the expo, the chamber also offers a luncheon speaker each year. This year, John Augustine, chief economic forecaster for Fifth Third Bank, will speak about the economy from the national to the local level. While the expo portion of the day is free, there is a cost associated with the luncheon.

For Gamble, who said he wants to sponsor the event again next year, he hopes the growth he has seen in PCC Internet Group will parallel the growth he sees in the expo.

"I'll bet it's allowed us to grow 300 percent," Gamble said. "If you want to do business in Middletown, you need to know who you're doing business with. The networking at the expo is what's important."

To continue the networking theme, the expo will close with a business after hours gathering from 5 to 6 p.m.

For more information and to register for the luncheon, visit

www.thechamberofcommerce.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2840 or dgreber@coxohio.com.