Exhibit Edge, a tradeshow and exhibit services provider located in Chantilly, Va., recently hosted presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, for an event honoring women entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Exhibit Edge Owner Bev Gray often volunteers helping female business owners obtain certification, training and opportunities to help launch businesses and pursue their personal goals. When approached with the prospect of hosting a speaking engagement for candidate Mitt Romney honoring women entrepreneurs, Gray jumped at the chance.
Up until the event began, there was a huge amount of activity at Exhibit Edge in preparation for this event. Last minute arrangements included additional Secret Service screenings and the strategic positioning of key attendees.
“It seemed almost surreal that this was happening in the venue where we work on a daily basis,” said Gray.
The more than 300 people in attendance included a wide variety of women business owners, congressmen, delegates, private small business owners and the general public. The crowd also contained more than 75 media personnel.
Ann Romney addressed the crowd first, speaking about the important role women play in the world.
Then, Mitt Romney identified the groups of women business owners that were seated all around him and spoke about small business regulations, taxes and policies.
Exhibit Edge earned its Woman-Owned Certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council in 2004.
Letise Dennis, freelance writer for Exhibit Edge, contributed to this article.
