Doing business in a borough of over 2.5 million people can sometimes become impersonal for Brooklyn-based business owners. With that in mind, Jonathan Levin and Mark Neuwirt of Expos Your Business, a company that puts together trade shows throughout the tri-state area, organized the first-ever Brooklyn Business Expo in the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Steiner Studios last Wednesday.

“The trade show allows over 1,000 people to interact in one day,” said Levin, “not over the Internet, not via snail mail, not over the phone, but face-to-face.”

According to Levin, over 125 businesses were represented at the business expo. The event was sold out even before the day of, an encouraging sign that people are still interested in doing business despite the challenging economy.

Alberto Valencia, owner of Engraved Sign Studio, Inc. located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, said his main source of revenue comes from engraving corporation plaques, but that has dried up significantly as corporations themselves weather the recession.

"The economy's caused my business to drop about 80 percent, so I'm here trying to get more business," said Valencia.

The Belmar Tourism Commission was there also, encouraging city dwellers to make a trip out and explore the tiny New Jersey shore-side community, located about an hour’s drive from New York City. It is also accessible by train and bus.

“It’s a small town feel but there’s something for everyone,” said Tourism Administrator Mary Brabazon, making mention of Belmar’s offerings like international dining options, fishing, para-sailing, and movies on the beach in the summer. She added, “we are a day trip but even if people come for a day, I think they will come back once they discover us.”

Representatives from Shustir.com made a big impression with their “I Love Small Business” T-Shirts and their free “virtual storefront” services for small businesses. Operating on ad revenue, Shustir gives its member businesses the power to update a blog, respond to customer inquiries, and add or edit photos and content, such as a virtual video tour.

“By being on this hub of small businesses, everyone’s search engine optimization can increase,” said Dan Lagstein, Shustir’s communications director. “It’s only going to bolster their Web presence.”

But even as technology continues to streamline the way business is done, Neuwirt of Expos Your Business maintained that it’s just no replacement for good old-fashioned face time.

“Digital media is powerful but at the same time very impersonal,” said Neuwirt. “Events like this show people still value face-to-face interaction.”