All the booths will be filled at the Business Lexpo, as the annual business expo has sold out all of its spots for companies to showcase what they do.

Now, organizers just need to make sure there’s a crowd to interact with the 92 exhibitors. If previous years are any metric, that shouldn’t be a problem.

“An Expo of any sort is only as good as the amount of attendees that come to it. If no one shows, it is pointless for vendors to set-up,” said Daphne Freeman, director of business operations at JAN-PRO, which participates in Lexpo. “Over the years, Lexpo has grown not just in vendors but in attendance.  Events like this are vital for businesses small and large. Name recognition is half the battle when it comes to consumers making choices on who they purchase from. Lexpo is just another layer to a business’s marketing strategy. The more someone is familiar with your name, the more likely they will do business with you.”

The event has been building up that impact for more than a decade, Lexington Chamber President/CEO Angelle LaBorde told the Chronicle, noting changes made in recent years to continue to make the event more appealing, including a selection of about nine local restaurants offering food samples called Flavors of Lexington (among the included restaurants are O’Hara’s, Willie Jewels BBQ and Keg Cowboy. The event also now happens at a happy hour time frame complete with beer and wine.

“We represent 80% of small to midsize businesses but we want to give opportunities to smaller businesses to receive exposure,” LaBorde said. 

“It’s business to consumer and we do want the community there because people need checking accounts or to change their oil. We want them to shop local and keep dollars in the local community.”

New exhibitors at this year’s event include a pickleball complex, a dentistry office, a coffee shop and a trash bin cleaning business.

LaBorde emphasized the Chamber wants to make it a fun event, noting this year’s Mardi Gras theme, with exhibitors encouraged to decorate accordingly in pursuit of awards for Best Booth and Best in Show.

The Barr Road Sports Complex has been the home of the Lexpo for the past several years, Laborde mentions. Previously they held it at River Bluff High School during the day but changed to an after-hours format to allow for more people to come and enjoy the expo. 

“The complex converts to a trade show feel. Everyone gets a complimentary tote bag to take into the space,” LaBorde said. 

“This is a large gathering in Lexington and I hope people stop in and show support for businesses,” she added. “We forget these businesses are employing friends and neighbors. It’s about job creation, quality of life and having services we need in the community. Lexington is a fabulous place to do business in Lexington.”

Connecting with people at the event is vital, LaBorde said, explaining it creates awareness and strengthens relationships.

Eli Lykes, a Lexpo participant and the owner of Defender Firearms & Training, echoed this sentiment.

“We look forward to the annual Lexpo because it allows us to showcase our local business and services to those in the community that we haven’t met yet,” he said. “It’s great to show the community our new services and upcoming events as well as network with all of the other local businesses that participate.”