As 2024 begins to wind down, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is looking ahead to programs for 2025.
One of the largest will be the Business Expo which will be held Jan. 9 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center.
Russell Lahodny, President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber, told ABD this inaugural event was prompted by a request from Columbia County.
“Columbia County came to us and asked us, ‘Would you want to do a business expo and we said, ‘Why not?’” he explained. “With the way we ended 2024, it’s an opportunity to kick off 2025 with a good start. And what better way than to provide an opportunity to network and get some business exposure for our members?”
Lahodny said they decided to make it more than an expo. It will also include the Mega-Mixer, bringing the Augusta Metro, North Augusta, Aiken, Thomson-McDuffie, and Greater Augusta Black Chambers of Commerce to join the event.
“That collaboration has been vital for our region,” he said. “You know, we could all go in our little silos, and we could do our own things, or we could do something for the greater good of the region and come together. And that’s really what we’ve found is the best path for our region. They’ve all been great partners. So, we’re going to partner with our chamber partners, invite their members to come on out to really provide an opportunity for everybody to start the new year off on a good foot.”
Although the mega-mixer is open only to members of each chamber, the business expo is open to the public. It will provide the chance to learn about the businesses that exist in the area and the opportunity to network with business owners and entrepreneurs. There will also be food trucks and a raffle.
The Columbia County Chamber is accepting applications from businesses that are members of the respective chambers that wish to set up a booth at the expo. Booths are available for $150.
“That it could be business to business, or business to consumer,” he said. “We’re opening it to the public, but it’s a business affair as well. So, any type of business, anybody that wants to get exposure for their business. It’s a perfect opportunity for them.”
Businesses can register a booth by emailing Ivana Beckworth at ivana@columbiacountychamber.com
Lahodny said they are hoping to make this an annual event.
The expo runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the exhibition center at 212 Partnership Drive in Grovetown. That’s off exit 190 off Interstate 20, the Gateway to Grovetown. The expo is free for the public to attend. No registration is necessary.
The mega-mixer begins at 5 p.m. It is free for chamber members to attend, but registration is required.
More information is available at https://www.columbiacountychamber.com/business-expo-and-mega-mixer/.
