DeKalb residents and NIU students are welcome to enjoy free entertainment while meeting new businesses at the Kishwaukee Valley Community Expo today.

The Sycamore and DeKalb chambers of commerce will host the event in the Convocation Center.

A wide range of old and new businesses, from health care facilities to banks, will be there to present new services to those in the community, said Kim Kubiak, executive director for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

The first community expo was a success last year, with 72 vendors and 1,200 people attending, Kubiak said.

With 94 vendors this year, Kubiak said she is planning for a larger turnout.

Kubiak said those who attended last year enjoyed visiting stands from several businesses in the area.

The DeKalb Clinic, 217 Franklin St., will participate in the event to introduce new physicians to the community, said Alice Freier, director of business and community relations.

The Ben Gordon Center, 12 Health Services Drive, was a vendor in last year’s expo and will also participate this year.

The center is participating again to help educate the community on mental health, said Paula Endress, director of advancement.

Endress also said the expo is important for residents to meet local businesses in a “friendly environment.”

The Ben Gordon Center will sell raffle tickets for a 2004 Mustang outside of the Convocation Center, Endress said.

“We believe in the work the chamber does in building a better community because that’s also what we do,” Endress said.