FWK Chamber has 100 booths, 500 attendees for Business Expo

  • David Faulker, left, with Wallace Commercial Real Estate, learned more about Window Depot from Johnny Patterson, center, and Sam Kornegay during Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo. - Tammy Cheek

  • James Brandon, left, gets help with his closeup selfie from Tyler Honsaker with TDS Telecom during the Expo in Rothchild Catering & Conference Center. - Tammy Cheek

On Wednesday, Aug. 2, Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce hosted its second Business Expo, this one at Rothchild’s Catering & Conference Center.

This event was presented by sponsor, TDS Telecom, as well as many other sponsors, and brought around 500 attendees to the event center.

Attendees were able to enjoy 100 booths that featured local businesses, including home service companies, food vendors and banking companies.

“One of our big purposes under our mission statement is to help business owners build relationships in the community, as this will ultimately lead them to success,” said Julie Blaylock, Farragut West Knox Chamber president/CEO.

“Although this event was open to the community, it was really intended to be a business-to-business event where businesses could learn about suppliers in Town who could help them,” she added. “When the event was over, we sent out a survey and many vendors were pleased that the event provided them with viable leads for their business.”

The responses were overwhelmingly positive. “It was invaluable to meet, not only potential future

customers but also the business vendors that surround our new branch,” said Kristin Byers, marketing officer at Hearthside Bank.

“Where else can you go and meet friends, make new friends, be introduced to new friends, make business connections and have a good time?” said Susan Bentley, owner of Bentley Home Inspection Services.

In addition to a plethora of booths to explore, attendees were able to participate in a scavenger hunt. During this hunt, attendees were asked to take their sponsor cards to each sponsor vendor’s booth.

After they learned about the businesses and had the vendors sign off on their cards, they were entered into a drawing, which included three grand prizes drawn randomly.

“The event went great. We had a big crowd, and it was good exposure for business owners in the community who participated,” said Ange Schroeder, Expo Committee Lead and business development official of ServPro of West Knoxville, North Knoxville, Northwest Knoxville and Oak Ridge. “At the end, three grand prizes were given out with gifts from local businesses Topgolf and Dunkin Donuts.”

To learn more about Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce, visit www.farragutchamber.com.