SACO — Job seekers and those looking to make business connections flocked to the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business and Employment Expo.

This is the seventh year the chamber has been holding an annual business expo, and the first year where a job fair was included.

The expo, held at Southern Maine Sportszone, had more than 100 businesses, schools and organizations present.

Around 3 p.m., the parking lot was full, and Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director Craig Pendleton said attendance had been steady. Pendleton said organizers were handing out surveys to participants to get feedback from the event and better track attendance.

Job seeker Wendy Grover said she was moving back to the area after living in Massachusetts for six years. She said she wanted to learn what’s going on in the area after being away and what opportunities are available.

She said she has previously worked in the fields of education and family counseling, and she’s looking for a change.

“Today is about new ideas,” she said.

Erin Harrington, human services representative, and Stacey Anderson, senior human services representative with Hussey Seating Company of North Berwick, one of the largest employers at the expo, said the company had a range of jobs available, including engineering, manufacturing and customer service. The two women said they had seen a lot of diverse backgrounds and many people had stopped by to inquire about jobs or hand out resumes.

“It’s a great turnout,” said Anderson. “I’m very impressed.”

Job seeker Christine Beaudette of Yarmouth said she was looking for a job in early education. She said she was impressed with the size of the fair and the amount of participants.

“It’s a good way to find out what’s out there,” she said.

Shawn Prejean, towing manager with Ray’s Truck Service in Saco, said this is the third year the company has participated in the expo.

“It helps us increase our business,” he said. The event is the only one of its kind locally, he said, and many people stopped by his booth to get information about the business. Although the company isn’t hiring, he said they were taking resumes at the expo so they have them on file if there are any future changes.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.