The Business Expo was a huge success with more than 55 vendors drawing a crowd of more than 400 visitors this week to the Robert L. and Elizabeth S. Cole Auditorium and Community Center in Hamlet. Last year’s event attracted about 200 visitors and had roughly 40 vendors.
The event was organized by the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Richmond Community College, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Covington Eye Clinic, Maness Tire and Automotive, Mabry’s Drug and Home Care, Pee Dee Electric, and Piedmont Natural Gas.
“Turnout and nice weather combined for a very successful event this year,” said Chamber President Emily Tucker. “The event was open to the public and featured chamber members and non-members. There were several vendors located outside but the majority of our vendors were located indoors throughout the Cole.
“The Business Expo is a great opportunity for our local businesses to market their products and services to the community and enjoy personal contact and have countless conversations with potential customers. The event allows visitors to learn more about specific businesses and services they provide,” Tucker said.
Amy Guinn, Expo Committee Chair, said this was her first year handling the business expo.
“I was in charge of the Expo this year but I had a lot of help from other members of the Chamber,” said Guinn. “We had a fantastic turnout this year, I contribute that in large part to the publicity in the Daily Journal, the radio and Facebook.”
Guinn believes the extra exposure drew in the crowd.
“My main goal was to communicate to the public that this is an event open to the public, not just for Chamber members only, and I think that message came across well,” said Guinn. “The participating business people I spoke to after the event stated it was a positive experience for them and they will be back again.”
Visitors to the expo were able to register for numerous prizes which were awarded throughout the evening. Winner of the Best of Show vendor booth award went to Julie Cameron of Junebugs Bags.
For information about next year’s Business Expo, contact the Chamber office by calling 910-895-9058 or by emailing the chamber at info@richmondcountychamber.com.
Do your part to help retain local sales tax revenue, and most importantly support your local business, advised Tucker. “This mindset can and will lead to more job creation and economic growth for Richmond County,” she said.
The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce is the county’s largest business advocacy organization formed to represent and support its members and to strengthen the county’s economy and business environment.
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