The Logan County Chamber of Commerce’s first Logan County Business Expo was a complete success thanks to the participating businesses in our community, many volunteers, and the estimated 300 in attendance from our local community!
Hosted at our beautiful new Logan County Career & Technical Center in Russellville, we started off the day with a vendor breakfast networking and by 10 a.m. the public began to pour in.
“It was apparent right away that this was going to be a great day!” said Karen Logan, Executive Director. Free and open to the public, this event offered several business courses, such as “Safety in the Workplace” with the Russellville Police Dept., “Beyond the Click” with WBKO, “Internet Banking Safety” with Lewisburg Banking Company, Small Business Administration with Michael Ashcraft, and “Marketing on a Budget” with the Logan County Chamber.
Also offered were two Speed Networking Sessions, and a “Dress for Success” Fashion Show, and free expo bags while they lasted. Five door prizes, donated by our vendors, were given away every hour! Cash prizes of $100, $200 and $300, were given away at the end of the evening for those who visited vendor booths, got their program stamped, and entered to win.
Winners were…$100 Bobbye Wright, $200 Sarah Jo Harlan, and $300 Marie Gamble! Thirty-one businesses set up tables and booths to showcase what they have to offer to our community, both to the public and to other businesses.
Vendor booth awards were given and voted on by the attendees! Winners were…”Most Creative” to Logan County Adult Education, “Expo Spirit” to Whitley’s Pharmacy, and “Best in Show” to River Hippie! Great job everyone!
Even more businesses were represented through our Business Expo Committee, Fashion Show models, donations of clothing and accessories for the Fashion Show, course instructors, and more! We look forward to this being an annual event, so go ahead and make plans to participate next year!
Karen Logan said, “I had such a great feeling about this event from the very start. When I would talk to our members about it, they got excited! We have so many wonderful small businesses and industry in Logan County. Being at the Logan County Chamber for a few years now, it has been my honor to get to know our members and their needs.
“The idea for the Business Expo was sparked by that relationship and feedback from our community. Bringing businesses together, creating awareness of our businesses and what they have to offer, and building relationships. That’s what it’s all about! That’s what I enjoy so much about my job! I appreciate each and every individual that helped make this event a success. And to Executive Assistant Pandora Christian, I couldn’t do it without you.”
Mandy Henley, 2018 Chamber President, said “The Logan Chamber and its Board are sincerely pleased with the outpouring of support from our local business men and women that made this year's Business Expo so successful. The event was very well received, and we believe quite helpful to all local business professionals. It was exactly the opportunity for networking and the experience that we hoped for. Karen Logan did an amazing job in making her vision a reality and we cannot wait to come back next year even bigger and better!”
We just want to thank…
Venue: Logan County Career & Technical Center – Tyler Davenport, Finley Baird, Trevor Brown, Staff and Superintendent Paul Mullins
Sponsors: Lewisburg Banking Company and Logan Memorial Hospital
Business Expo Committee: Mandy Henley of Lewisburg Bank, Ben Kemplin of Logan County Schools, Bobby Blackford of Blackford Real Estate & Auction, Carl Seidler, Amanda Gossett of State Farm, Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism, and Myla Porter of WRUS.
Fashion Show Models: Judge Logan Chick, Sandra Kinser, Jimmy Davenport, Pat Bell, Justin Crocker, Mandy Henley, Amanda Gossett, Chris McGinnis, Brittany Bennett, Robbie Matthews, and Kim Reeves.
Fashion Show Coordinator: Kristi Crocker of First Southern National Bank
Fashion Show Donations: Goody’s Dept. Store, Shoppe on the Square, The Pink Blueberry, Wal-Mart, Gerald Printing, Tina’s Treasures, Kathy’s Hair Salon, Keltner & Co. Salon, and Salon Elle & Spa.
Other Volunteers: Eddie Brooks (Music), Logan County Tourism Board Members, Kim Reeves and Stacey Cundiff from the Electric Plant Board, Cathy Scarbrough of Scarbrough CPA, and so many more!
Food Truck: Amos Sisters Sweet & Savory Treats
Vendors: Ace Exterminating, Advance Auto Parts, Air Evac Lifeteam, American Cancer Society, Anderson Plumbing, Barren County Business Supply, Blackford Real Estate & Auction, Brother’s Family Restaurant, Cricket Wireless, Econolodge, Fast Pace Urgent Care, Gerald Printing, Hosparus of Barren River, Hospice of Southern KY, Knight Electric, Life Choice Pregnancy Care Center sponsored by Mobil1 Lube Express, Logan County Adult Education, Logan County Public Library, Logan Memorial Hospital, Quik Fit of Russellville 24/7, River Hippie, SERVPRO, Shelter Insurance – Sharon Shanklin, Small Business Administration, Soulful Touch Massage, SouthPoint Risk Advisors, US Bank, WBKO, Whitley’s Pharmacy, and Yoder’s Portable Sheds.
In the accompanying group photos:
Fashion show models, from left, were Mandy Henley, Justin Crocker, Brittany Bennett, Chris McGinnis, Sandra Kinser, Logan Chick, Robbie Matthews, Amanda Gossett, Pat Bell, Kim Reeves and Jimmy Davenport.
Speed networking session included, from left, Kristi Blue, Jennifer Smotherman, Judy Hildebrand, Gendoly Joy Atkinson, Duncan Anderson, Travis Kessinger, Seth Boortz and Angie McConnell