Small Business of the Month February 2011

GREENVILLE, SC – February 17, 2011 – The Greenville Chamber recognized JBM & Associates, a show management and marketing company, as its February 2011 Small Business of the Month at a monthly board meeting this morning.

As an event management and marketing company, JBM produces consumer shows throughout the southeast with two main goals: creating interactive and exciting environments for thousands of attendees and aiding companies in their marketing efforts through non-traditional means of exposure.  In essence, JBM connects thousands of consumers with hundreds of businesses through the production and execution of entertaining public shows!

Ten years ago, JBM & Associates opened its doors in Charleston, SC with owner Jacqui Bomar and an intern from the College of Charleston. In 2002, they started producing the Charleston Boat Show. The following year, they launched the Savannah International Boat Show, now in its ninth year.

After getting married to a life long Greenvillian, Bomar and her one full-time employee moved the company to Greenville. She soon realized that Greenville was a wonderful community to launch a show she always wanted to start, but couldn’t find the right city. The Upstate Women’s Show, Presented by Bi-Lo and now in its fourth year was launched in Greenville in August 2008. This small company’s excellent reputation in the boat show industry was solidified when they were asked to produce the Jacksonville, FL Boat Show that same year.  Bomar moved her office from her home to downtown Greenville where she could be more involved with the business community.

JBM has been an active Chamber member since 2005 and has been involved with the Business Women In Action, the Grow Expo and is a regular attendee of Chamber sponsored events.

Bomar, a board member of the National Association of Consumer Shows, soon envisioned another show she was passionate about starting in Greenville. After a year and a half of planning, The Upstate Spice of Life Show will soon premiere in Greenville. This Show has morphed into a healthy lifestyle show, everything Bomar finds exciting and relevant within the Greenville community. The Upstate Spice of Life Show, presented by the Greenville Hospital System and the American Diabetes Association, will be held April 29 & 30 at the Carolina First Center. This unique community Show will focus on cooking, entertaining, health and wellness, fitness and green living.

“My team and I have worked tirelessly to bring something really different to this market,” said Bomar.

This two-day event will bring experts in their fields and celebrity guests together with consumers who may want to learn tips on how to live happy and healthy lives!  From cooking healthy meals to trying the latest fitness craze—the Upstate Spice of Life Show will feature educational, interactive demonstrations in a truly fun and exciting environment for the entire family.

JBM & Associates also believes in giving back to the community and creates special events at their shows to raise money for local charities.  Through the creation of My Girlfriend’s Closet at the Upstate Women’s Show, gently used accessories are sold to benefit Safe Harbor. Over the past two years at the Upstate Women’s Show, approximately $30,000 was raised for Safe Harbor, and more than 9,000 LBS of food donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank. JBM has helped many other organizations raise money and awareness, including the Low Country Food Bank and Water Missions International in Charleston and the Second Harvest Food Bank in Savannah Georgia,

In 2010, Bomar decided to start the Columbia Women’s Show, which will debut next February at the Metropolitan Convention Center. With the creation of new shows and the current show roster, JBM & Associates continues to grow.

Learn more at www.JBMshows.com

About the Greenville Chamber’s Small Business of the Month Program
The Greenville Chamber recognizes an extraordinary small business at each monthly board meeting. The Small Business of the Month is chosen by a selection committee from nominations provide by Greenville Chamber members. The Chamber’s annual small business of the year is selected from the year’s small businesses of the month. The 2011 Small Business of the Month presenting sponsor is Charter Business.