Meeting potential customers and fellow business leaders was the goal at last Thursday’s business expo at the Sonoraville Community Center.

The expo was an opportunity for business owners and corporate executives to meet face-to-face with shoppers and other business owners, while displaying information about their companies and the services they offer locally.

It was also designed for shoppers to browse and learn about businesses, educational op-tions and services within the community.

The best asset of the day was free advertising, said vendor Dewayne Bowen of Edward Jones investing.

“It gives (businesses) a chance to see others they couldn’t reach,” said Bowen.

“It’s a cheaper form of advertising, and they can show their face and see a lot of people they might not see,” he added.

In a bad economy, a business expo can help boost sales, said Gordon County Commis-sioner Judy Bailey.

“My feeling is that it reaffirms to the community that we’re still here, and even in bad times, we have to keep moving forward,” she said.

More than 55 vendors displayed booths inside of the community center, and door prizes were awarded throughout the day. The Gordon County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event each year.

Chamber of Commerce members paid a vendor fee of $250; the fee for non-members was $495. Proceeds from each expo go toward the small business committee projects, organizers stated.

“It gives vendors a way to network with their business peers and show their resources,” said Gordon County Chamber of Commerce organizer Joni Harbin.

The “enthusiasm” of the business owners was part of the success, said Joni.

“And, it’s one of our most popular events,” she added, of the approximately 1,000 who at-tended.

Looking ahead, the next event hosted by the Gordon County Chamber is the open house shopping day — a tradition for many in Calhoun — on Sunday, Nov. 22.

Local businesses will open their doors to meet and greet shoppers with hospitality, offer-ing free snacks and serving up tasty finger foods.

Chamber members wish to remind community members to mark their calendars, remem-ber to wear comfortable walking shoes and see why Calhoun has a unique and warm busi-ness community.