One of the key drivers of economic success in the community had a chance to take the spotlight over the weekend.
Various organizers came together Saturday morning to present the inaugural Summer Time Business Expo at the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County.
Over 15 small businesses had the opportunity to set up shop inside the facility’s gymnasium and welcome in hundreds from the public as a way to get their products out and help keep money in the community.
“It went really, really well once we got people in the door,” said Jackie Parlier, co-organizer of the event. “That was our big key, get the public with the vendors. We wanted to make sure there was an opportunity to help out the small business and make sure our local dollars stay in the community.”
Amy Simmons, with Dancer’s Dream and co-organizer, added it was nice to see different businesses come and take part in the initiative.
“We had a wide variety of different businesses,” she said. “We’ve been going nonstop since the beginning of the event.”
Supporting local business is vital, according to the organizers. In the City of Elizabethton, small business makes up 95 percent of business in the city and employs over 4,300 individuals.
And the businesses were able to reap the rewards of the day.
“I spoke with one vendor just a few minutes ago, and they said this was one of the better events they’ve done,” Parlier said.
The expo also included a variety of activities for the public, including refreshments, dancing and the “Miss Summertime Dolls” pageant.
“We had 15 compete in the pageant,” Simmons said. “We had a lot of little queens walk out of here with trophies. Overall it was just a great day.”
Both Simmons and Parlier added there could be a possibility of another expo on the horizon due to the turnout from Saturday’s event.
“It is very important to support local businesses,” Simmons said. “We want to encourage people to shop local and to continue supporting our businesses in the community.”