The Hudson Valley Gateway Experience - 100 Reasons I Love Peekskill - Post 79

The Hudson Valley Gateway Experience. Last Saturday was the third annual edition of our local lovefest known as The Hudson Valley Gateway Experience, organized and presented by the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce at the Mansion at Colonial Terrace. It's basically a trade show for local businesses and organizations, showcasing themselves to the public (and each other), featuring (for a small admission charge) free food, entertainment, lots of free samples as well as an astonishing array of products and services available for purchase.

I've been at all three Gateway Experiences, but in very different capacities. The first year, when I was new in town, I did a magic show - part of the many performances by local artists and students. That was fun because I got to thoroughly explore all the booths, making contacts and meeting people. Last year I was more peripheral; I had a conflict and only got there near the end so I pretty much breezed through. But still, it was really fun to explore the event - especially since a year had passed and by then I knew a lot more of the participants.

This year I decided to get my own booth, not for magic but for acupuncture. Even though I've been here for over two years, people often seem surprised to learn that I practice acupuncture right in downtown Peekskill. I have a sign on my door on North Division Street, but it's a little bit recessed, and I guess it's easy to overlook. It really hit home when I met two people who work right next door, at Westchester Community College, who didn't realize they share a wall with an acupuncture office.

I haul a lot of stuff for my magic show, but not usually for acupuncture. But on Saturday, I decided to offer free treatments at my booth. So in addition to promotional materials (sign, handouts, cards) I brought a portable backdrop, my acupuncture travel kit and a zero-gravity chair.  Deb Milone & Lauren Brady of HVGCC put me in a comparitively quiet corner of the Oval Ballroom, next to the booths of Energy Movement Center, EMBARK Peekskill, and the Peekskill Arts Alliance - all friends, which was fun. On the other side of me was Jeorjia Shea - another friend - with her art fashion line.

When I first got there, the energy and excitement were palpable as hundreds of vendors set up their booths. At this point Deb & Lauren (and all their helpers) really have it down. It was very well organized, and everyone was very upbeat.  

Once the doors opened to the public, I was besieged. My chair was occupied the entire day, with people actually waiting for a treatment. Almost a hundred people entered my raffle for a free private session. It was all a blur. I was full out for five hours. It was great, but I never got to see any of the rest of the event. (Next time I'll do that before it opens to the public!) Thankfully, lots of other vendors who had extra staff found time to visit me. Some brought me food samples, which was very welcome because I missed out on the free lunch provided for vendors. When the event finally ended at 4pm, I literally ran for the bathroom.

I don't know how it could've gone better. I learned that the attendance this year was double last year's. The whole event was terrific. I especially appreciated how Peekskill's arts community was so interwoven with its business community. I wish I could've seen the performances!

Thanks HVGCC for a terrific event!!