EDC readies April awards breakfast and May business expo; fundraising lags target

Mark, the EDC organizer, briefed the committee on two upcoming events and fundraising status. He said the EDC's awards breakfast — described as the 'year in review' for 2023 — will be held April 26 at Use for Venues (45 Oak Street) with check-in at 7:30 a.m. and the program starting around 8 a.m. "We have $1,400 pledged right now," he said, and added he hoped to raise $2,000 to cover the event so earlier gift-account funds could be preserved for future years.

Mark outlined the awards format: short recorded videos for winners, a five-award presentation, and brief live remarks from committee leadership. He asked members to help with recording, promotion, and day‑of tasks including guest check‑in and photography. He said invitations had gone to roughly 187 addresses and he expects attendance in the 60–100 range once awardees, town staff and guests are accounted for.

Mark also announced the business expo will be May 8 from 4–7 p.m. at the Best Western in Marlborough because the DoubleTree is under renovation. He asked for volunteers for setup, booth staffing and breakdown; he said the expo can draw hundreds of vendors and thousands of attendees in larger years and emphasized outreach to regional partners and past grant recipients.

Committee members discussed venue capacity and timing; Mark said the larger space allows the event to expand and that several vendors had offered logistical help. He also asked members to share suggested invitees and offered to follow up individually with past grant winners.

Next step: organizers will continue fundraising outreach and circulate day-of volunteer assignments ahead of the awards breakfast and the business expo.