The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center hosts its 10th annual Business Lexpo next week at the Barr Road Sports Complex. This year, the chamber is switching from a lunch-time event to the end of the workday into the early evening. The hope is  more people will attend.

People are encouraged to linger more and even grab a food sample and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, Leigh Lowery, the chamber’s membership director told the Chronicle.

“Our new concept will feel more like an expanded, ‘super networking evening!’ the chamber describes in a release.

This year’s tagline is “Business is heating up in Lexington County,” and Lowery said there will be more than 80 booths. The businesses hosting booths serve the county in some way, she explained.

People can expect to see large corporations and manufacturers, midsize companies and small businesses, giving them a look at businesses are doing in the county.

Exhibitors include the Corley Mill House, Lexington Medical Center, Lexington Police and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, The Courage Center, and Sun Solutions.

One new feature of Lexpo for 2022 is Restaurant Row.

“We are featuring some local dining hotspots,” said Lowery, explaining that restaurants and caterers will show off select menu items.

The restaurants featured include Bodhi Thai, Café Strudel, Griffins, Keg Cowboy, O’Hara’s Public House, the Old Mill Brewpub, The Root Cellar and Private Property.

“This is going to be a fantastic event and our main goal is to feature the awesome businesses in Lexington County,” Lowery said, adding there will be goody bags for all, food and beverage samples and various handouts and goodies from the businesses.