May 27, 2004

Costco holds inaugural Business Expo

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

The Almaden Costco held its inaugural Business Expo in an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Thirteen small businesses in Almaden participated, and the event raised $4000 to go directly to the cause.

Rosie Quinonez, the Marketing Director for Costco, said the event went well, even though they only had two weeks to prepare. “Our vendors really enjoyed it, they were able to promote their businesses, which many of them were very successful. Costco wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for small businesses,” she says.

According to Quinonez, Costco is the major sponsor for the Children’s Miracle Network and one of the top ten organizations in the country, “That says a lot about our members,” she says.

At the Business Expo, Costco provided the tables and chairs, and also held a raffle in an effort to make the Expo fair. “We had an incentive raffle card, each person had to stop by and get a stamp from each vendor, that was our way of making sure each vendor was visited,” says Quinonez. Costco raffled off four tickets to an Oakland A’s baseball game.

Many of the businesses promoted themselves by having special, one-time offers for Costco members only. “The Almaden Chiropractor booked fifteen appointments in the one day he participated,” says Quinonez.

Each business had to pay $250 for each day they participated. That fee alone raised the $4,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network, which went to the Children’s Open Hospital.

Costco also raises money for United Way, and each store in the country sponsors a local elementary school. This year, the Almaden Costco has Lietz Elementary on Carter Avenue. “We provide the school with all of the backpacks filled with school supplies, and if a class gets perfect attendance, we will supply the cake,” says Quinonez.

Costco will sometimes provide lunch for teachers if they have meetings or conferences.

“Last year, we had a teacher shop day, right before Christmas. We provided a continental breakfast. We want to take care of the teachers because they are very important in this community, and every community,” she says.
Quinonez, who has been at Costco for 13 years, says they are planning another Expo in late summer or early fall to benefit United Way.

According to her, 10,000 people were in attendance, and the Expo was considered successful.