The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce (GABCC) is preparing to host an annual Resource Business Fair and is calling for vendors to participate.
This marks the third year the Chamber is sponsoring the event. Shagraila Hammond, GABCC Program Manager, told ABD the first was December 2023 and the second in April 2024. They chose February this year, making it the kick-off to the Chamber’s yearly activities.
“It is essentially something that was created through a program that we had running in 2023 where we wanted to put everything that a business would need in one room,” she explained. “We understand that black businesses have a hard time accessing certain things in the business community or not understanding or not knowing that they need certain things when it comes to running their business. We wanted to have exactly what they needed in the room so they could talk to people and get all the information they need.”
In advance of the Feb. 18 event, GABCC is accepting applications from vendors who wish to share what they offer to small businesses. Hammond said they are primarily calling for businesses that help businesses, the so-called B2B companies like CPAs, bookkeepers, marketing specialists, and Point-of-Sale (POS) experts.
“Businesses need that and probably don’t even realize that they need a POS system, or that they can get one a lot cheaper than going through the major corporations,” she said. “Cybersecurity and tech is another big one, and of course, we’re going to have banks and other larger entities there from the state level to give that assistance as well.”
Hammond said individuals attending the two earlier fairs included financial experts and tax experts, some just starting out, who were able to tap into the expertise provided by the vendors to move their business forward. The fair also offers panel discussions for different industries to provide tips and information and they are available to take questions from attendees.
While sponsored by GABCC, Hammond said the fair welcomes all small business owners and entrepreneurs, as both vendors and attendees.
“Our vendors are not just going to be focused on Black businesses,” she said. “While Black is in the title of the Black Chamber, we are open to everyone. We want everyone to be able to have those resources that they may need or talk to the people they probably have not been able to get access to.”
GABCC is available to assist businesses in more than a dozen Georgia counties.
The Feb. 18 Resource Fair will be at the Kroc Center at 1833 Broad St. from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and food trucks will be set up to provide refreshments. There is no charge for vendors to participate and it is $10.00 to attend.
Learn more at www.mygabc.org/gabcc-events/#!event/2025/2/18/gabcc-resource-fair
