Showcase postponed until March

The Howard County Chamber of Commerce has postponed its annual business showcase at the Columbia Mall until March 12 and 13.

The show was originally scheduled for this weekend, but participating businesses said they did not have enough time to prepare.

"Basically, we responded to our membership," said Lee Morgan Rees, director of communications for the chamber.

The showcase features 65 to 85 businesses for consumers. It has been an annual event in Howard County since the 1970s. Participating businesses have included a landscaping company, printers, an advertising agency, photographers and a cemetery.

Traditionally, the chamber has scheduled the event for February.

This year, however, organizers aimed for January because they wanted more space. The kiosks that usually fill much of the mall's first floor have cleared out for the month, leaving more room for the show, Ms. Rees said.

But many of the participating businesses had recently finished a trade show in November. Many were too tired after the holiday season to put together a booth so soon, Ms. Rees said.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. both days in March. For booth applications or more information call the chamber office at [phone].