08 C&I Show to include career fair

There's a new twist planned for people going to the 31st annual Commerce and Industry Show this spring in Brainerd.

The C&I show at the Brainerd Civic Center and Gold Medal Arena on March 28-29 will include more than 150 businesses displaying products and services, giving out samples, offering special buys, providing demonstrations and prizes. The event includes food vendors. Those are the traditional pieces.

This year the event also will include a career fair for area high school students. Central Lakes College is a partner with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and a major sponsor for the 2008 C&I Marketplace.

The Bridges Career Fair is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28. The addition of high school students is expected to make for a "busy and rewarding opening day," the chamber said.

New area industries are expected to be involved. Lunch will be served for the students and prizes and drawings will be part of the career fair.

Changes for the show include a change in the floor plan for 2008. The event is planned from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 28 with the career fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then the show will continue March 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.