Two area Chambers of Commerce are hosting the 2000 Annual Business Showcase on March 8th at the Samoset Resort, where local businesses showcase their products and services to other businesses and to the general public.

The showcase, hosted by Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville and the Rockland-Thomaston Area chambers of commerce is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. The lead sponsor is CPWebMedia.

This year's show is shaping up to be a great one in terms of the number of exhibitors, informative seminars and overall attendance.

Local businesses will occupy more than 100 booths at the showcase.

In addition to the tradeshow and resource area, the event will feature several seminars, led by area business experts.

The seminar schedule is a follows:
9:00 to 10:15 a.m. -- "Time Management," (sponsored by J&B Diversified Associates, Inc.) will be presented by David Pier of Balance of Life Seminars.

9:00 to 10:15 a.m. -- "E-Commerce," (sponsored by The First National Bank f Damariscotta) with a panel of speakers from various technical backgrounds -- Richard M. Anderson of Ligature.Com, Micheal Hardy of CPWebMedia, Bill Thornton of Radiant Ideas, Inc. and Brian Willson of 3IP (Three Islands Press).

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. -- "Human Resource Management," with a panel of speakers from various business sectors -- Susan MacMillan of the Rockland- Thomaston Chamber of Commerce, Lisa A.B. Noonan of The Human Resource Outsource, LLC, Sharon Nickerson of The Human Resource Outsource and Katrina J. Stone of Stone Cover Consulting.

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. -- "Market Research," (sponsored by Central Maine Power) with a panel of speakers from various business sectors -- Susan MacMillan of the Rockland-Thomaston Chamber of Commerce, James H. Ash of New England Development, Rachel and Harvey Desgrosseilliers of Gooseberry Barn, and Marnie DuBois of Maine Small Business Development Center at Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

A hospitality suite for exhibitors, sponsored by Androscoggin Bank, will be located in the Ebb Tide Room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Business Reception, hosted by the Samoset Resort, will be located in the Knox County Ballroom from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Courtesy carry-alls for the event, provided by Rockland Radio Corporation will be available at the Chamber's tables located in the main entrance.

In addition to the business-to-business promotion that takes place at the show, the business showcase will again host 40 high school students from Camden Hills Regional, Rockland District, Georges Valley and Medomak Valley high schools. The students will have the opportunity to find out more about business opportunities in the midcoast and throughout the state. Also, the students will attend a special seminar presentation from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. entitled "Business/Educational Partnership."

About J&B Diversified Associates, Inc.

J&B Diversified Associates, Inc. is a leading provider of e-business solutions in the New England region. J&B solutions enable companies of all sizes to cost-effectively change the technology, structure, processes and culture of their organization. These solutions include network design and management, systems integration, web design and hosting, and telephone communication systems. The company was founded in 1991 and remains a profitable, privately held corporation. For more information, visit the J&B website at www.jbda..com or call 800-450-1190.

For more information; contact James Arseneau, Chief Executive Officer, J&B Diversified Associates, at 207-338-1138 (jarseneau@jbda.com).