PHOTOS: Industry Show lures businesses for networking

For businesses such as Baron NDT, the Industry Show is a way to meet those that would benefit from their services.

Owner Mike Benson explained that as a subcontractor that works with a number of fabrication companies he is able to meet people he may not otherwise meet. “We’re one down the line,” Benson said of being a subcontractor. “These people built it, they need people to inspect it. It’s really important for us to be able to meet these people because they’re our customers. And when it comes to non-destructive testing, which is what we do, they aren’t aware of us unless we get out and meet them and shake hands with them.”

The Florida based company has an office in Beaumont on Eastex Freeway.

Baron NDT was one of 109 vendors with booths at the annual Industry Show that was presented by the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.

Latisha Poledore with the Chamber of Commerce said the Industry Show has been called one of the largest networking events by some of the businesses represented.

There was so much interest by vendors that some had already signed up t return next year, Poledore added.

Visitors to the Industry Show were able to stroll down aisled filled with vendor booths representing industry giants and subcontractors in diverse fields.

The Port of Port Arthur was one of the vendors on site. Larry Kelley, executive Port director/CEO, said the event was a great venue to reach out to contractors in the area

“We basically have almost 200 vendors working at our Port and we have a contractor outreach program that encourages local women owned, minority owned, veteran and disabled veteran owned businesses,” Kelley said.

Not just the inside of the civic center was busy Thursday.

Massive cranes standing 100 and 265 feet above the ground heralded the 2024 Industry Show where a gathering of vendors networked at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.

Several of the truck cranes held a banner for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 450. The giant truck cranes belong to signatory contractors Maxim Cranes, Deep South Crane and Rigging and Sarens Crane, Bryon Williams with Local 450, said.

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