Get connected at the annual H-E-B Chamber Expo | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

In today’s fast-paced world, getting connected is more important than ever. And connectivity can happen in a lot of ways — many of them being significant digital connections. However, face-to-face connecting remains as the most personal link. This is where the event hosted by the H-E-B Chamber of Commerce comes in.

The chamber expo, set for Tuesday, will offer local companies and individuals a chance to get connected with more than 100 exhibitors ready to personally meet attendees. Companies participating consider the event an excellent marketing tool to showcase their business and promote their products and services.

“The 2017 expo is an unparalleled opportunity for any business owner to promote his or her unique service, business or product,” said Mary Frazior, president and CEO of the chamber.

The expo is not, however, just for companies. It’s also a chance for individuals to get familiar with the places doing business in their neighborhoods. A stroll through the booths enables families to discover resources for all sorts of needs that may arise. Food tastings hosted by several restaurants will be a delicious way to get acquainted with new eateries not yet visited. Drawings for attractive door prizes will occur throughout the day.

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“This event is a practical and fun occasion where exhibitors and visitors can exchange information and enjoy great food. The expo is really just a great experience,” Frazior said.

The chamber has lined up an impressive selection of restaurant and food vendors this year, including Bizzi’s Bistro, Cast Your Bread Catering, Crazy Cowboy, Desserts Galore by Rita, Dickey’s Barbecue, Italianni’s Restaurant, Jet’s Pizza, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Miz G’s House of Pies, Pam’s Catering & Events and Texas Roadhouse. Expo guests can enjoy samples from each of the restaurants.

“The expo helps us generate leads, recruit team members and build brand awareness,” said expo chairman Charolete Davis with Century 21 Mike Bowman. “Regardless of your business or service, it’s well worth your time and investment.”

The H-E-B Chamber Expo is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 20 at the Hurst Conference Center. Admission is $10, or $5 for Star-Telegram Press Pass holders. A few vendor spots are still open. To inquire, contact the chamber office at 817-283-1521 or visit www.HEB.org.

A full house of around 700 guests crowded the ballroom at the Fort Worth Hilton earlier this month for the annual Jim Bradshaw Stars in Recovery luncheon hosted by the nonprofit Recovery Resource Council. On this 29th edition of the event, the format of spotlighting a star who is celebrating his or her recovery continued.

The special guest headlining the event was celebrity newswoman Elizabeth Vargas. Vargas is in recovery from alcohol addiction and is the author of a bestselling book, “Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction.”

Vargas spoke frankly to the audience about how the stigma of addiction and fear of discovery kept her from being honest with her husband, friends and her boss at “20/20” about her drinking and anxiety struggles. She recounted a somber point in her journey where she drank alcohol to the point that her blood-alcohol content was .40, and she had to be hospitalized. When she went public about her struggles with alcoholism and anxiety, to her surprise she received warm support from many people. In a poignant moment, Vargas told the audience it was her hope that someone in the room that day would hear her message and seek help.

Since 1957, Recovery Resource Council has provided outreach, intervention and prevention services to those seeking help with substance abuse and mental health issues.

According to CEO Eric Niedermayer, the luncheon raised nearly $300,000 for Recovery Resource Council’s school-based prevention, outpatient treatment and PTSD program for veterans and their families. The luncheon is the agency’s primary fundraising event each year. It also hosts a golf tournament each fall, set this year for Oct. 23.

Among those serving on the Stars in Recovery event committee were Charlie Powell, Robin Bagwell and Shauna Jenkins. Guests at the event had the opportunity to bid on auction items, including weekend use of a 2017 Mercedes, a golfing vacation in Richmond, Va., and a selection of autographed memorabilia.

To learn more about the agency, visit www.recoverycouncil.org or contact Margie Hatcher at 817-332-6329.

The Living Legends Awards event is Thursday at the Fort Worth Central Library. Hosted by the Fort Worth Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, the social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. program. Honorees are Bishop Robert Sample, Paulette Turner, Gwen Barbee and Robert McDaniel. Admission is free, but seating is limited. RSVP to Adrian Gray at 817-691-2689 or Livinglegendawards@gmail.com.

Day of Action is Wednesday, hosted by United Way of Tarrant County. It is a day to volunteer and serve others to improve the quality-of-life building blocks that include education, financial stability and health. Volunteer opportunities are at the Community Enrichment Center from 1 to 4 p.m., the Veteran Card Project at United Way offices from 1 to 4 p.m. and the Patriot House Meal Project from 2 to 3 p.m. Take a virtual dementia tour at the James L. West Alzheimer’s Center at various times throughout the day. There will be a toiletry collection for needy families served by Community Enrichment Center, as well as a chance to assemble meal kits for the Hunger Kit Project. Get details and register at unitedwaytarrant.org/dayofaction/.

Nominate an outstanding volunteer for the Shining Stars award by June 30. Arts Council Northeast is asking area nonprofit organizations and companies to submit a nomination for someone performing outstanding volunteer service to receive the Shining Star award. All Shining Stars will be introduced and honored at the annual Shining Stars luncheon Sept. 22 at the Hurst Conference Center. Nomination forms and criteria are available online at www.shiningstarsartscouncil.org/ShiningStarNominationForm.aspx or call Lee Koch, Arts Council president, at 817-283-3406.