NIAGARA FALLS — This year about 500 people had jobs because they attended the 2010 Career Fair and Resource Expo at Conference Center Niagara Falls.

Job seekers will get another chance to find gainful employment when the 2011 expo opens its doors from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday at the center, at 101 Old Falls St.

About 90 employers are expected to have booths at the free event, which last year attracted about 1,200 job seekers.

The free expo opens Niagara Rises Homecoming Weekend, and will feature a celebratory tone with balloons, cake, free massages, and prize giveaways. On a more serious note, there will also be a resume clinic and speed interviews for those who pre-arranged them.

“When I am speaking with people in the community and I talk about the job fair, what I’m finding is a stir of excitement,” said Andrea Todaro, president of Innovative Placements and co-organizer of the event.

The success of last year’s inaugural event was a surprise, even to its planners, she said.

“Every one came ready to do business and ready for action,” she noted.

The whole expo is about spreading optimism, according to co-chairman Elizabeth Lavis.

“For me, the 2011 Niagara Career Fair and Resource Expo is all about optimism,” Lavis said. “We want job seekers to be optimistic that they will and can find meaningful work in the region.”

She added, “we tried our best to distance ourselves from the dreary, cattle-call stereotype of your ‘typical’ job fair and create something new and uplifting.

This year’s expo, which is preceded by a “Business of the Year,” awards luncheon, will be followed by a social hour from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Job seekers and employers, as well as those participating in the homecoming weekend, are encouraged to attend.

Other Niagara Rises Homecoming events this weekend include its third-annual benefit gala and awards dinner being held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the conference center, also open to the public. The following community residents will be honored with awards:

• Marge Gillies: Niagara Rises Frank Thomas Croisdale Volunteer of the Year Award

• Gadawski’s: Niagara Rises Special Community Award

• Don Glynn, Niagara Gazette reporter and columnist: Niagara Rises Excellence in Media Award

For more information visit niagararises.com.

Niagara Rises is a grassroots effort to create positive change in the Niagara region by designing events that link people with jobs, real estate, business networking opportunities, as well as improving the area’s culture and entertainment, Todaro explained.

“I’m very proud to be a part of such a noble organization and cause,” said Todaro. “If each person decides to make a small difference to better his or her community, we can move light years toward improving the Niagara Region and in particular, Niagara Falls. It’s all about taking action and not sitting on the sidelines.”