VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce will host its Primetime Business Expo next week.

The Primetime Business Expo is a business-to-business and business-to-consumer fair where chamber members have an opportunity to showcase their services and products to the community, said Jeanette Stensgaard, membership director for the chamber of commerce.

The expo is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4.

The chamber hosts the annual event so businesses can have face-to-face interactions with potential clients in one place.

Even with the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, face-to-face interactions are still the “best way” to meet with potential customers, organizers said.

Traditionally, the Primetime Business Expo is a strictly business-to-business affair; however, during the expo last year, the chamber opened it to the general public. Stensgaard said the chamber plans to continue bucking old traditions.

“We had several vendors last year whose target market is the consumer, and we want to make sure they have the opportunity to showcase to the proper audience as well as give the community a chance to support the business community,” she said.

With more than 100 businesses participating, Stensgaard said the expo is one of the largest in its class in the South.

She said hosting a large event gives businesses and residents an opportunity to shop locally while building connections in the community.

“Making sure you are connected and building partnerships is an important part of growing a business,” Stensgaard said. “… A lot of business owners make it a part of their marketing plan to participate every year so it is a vital part of how businesses interact with their target audience each year.”

Stensgaard also said the expo is a great opportunity for non-chamber members to network.

“If there is a resident who is a business owner who is not a chamber member, we would like to invite them to network at a chamber event,” she said.

Non-members can learn what the chamber offers.

The expo is free to anyone who wants to come and look at the booths.

For businesses wanting to participate, the registration deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28.

The Primetime Business Expo is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Oct. 4, at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.

To sign up for the expo or for more information, call (229) 247-8100 ext. 231 or visit valdostachamber.com. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.