Around 300 people showed up at the Centre on Main for the Chamber of Commerce’s first Fall Business Expo on Thursday evening.

The event, which showcased businesses from the area, had a “wonderful turnout,” according to Chamber Director Tara Elder.

April Bowman, who also helped with the event, said it is great for local businesses because “it gives small businesses that may not do a whole lot of advertising a way to get your name out there.” She also touted the event as a “great way for businesses to help other businesses.”

Jennifer Newton with Whoop-De-Doo Design agreed, explaining that the event is “good networking for local businesses.”

The expo was the second such event in Grayson County, and the group was so pleased with the quality of the event and the turnout of participants that they are looking forward to putting together another business exposition in the spring, according to Bowman.

Visitors to Thursday’s event got to see a sampling of the goods and services offered by a number of area businesses, from farms to jewelry, crafts to photography, and cars to flowers. Many of them also came away with some great door prizes.

“We were giving away prizes pretty much as fast as we could,” Bowman said.

“I think a lot of people really enjoyed themselves,” Newton beamed, saying that her businesses’ main goal at these events is not to sell products, but to let people know what they have to offer. They were particularly hoping to get the word out about their upcoming Christmas Open House which will be hosted in their shop on the square October 30.

“It’s a very inexpensive way to get your name out there,” Newton said.

MTD’s General Manager, Derek Clemons, said that his company’s booth had an excellent showing as well. The manufacturing plant was present not to accept applications for 50 jobs that the company is about to add to their operation.

“We’re very pleased with the turnout and we look forward to reviewing the applications received,” Clemons said, adding “we got sufficient applications to fill our open positions.”

Overall, the event was a success for business-owners as well as those who stopped by to peruse the booths.

Bowman said of the Chamber’s plans for the next Spring Business Expo, “we want to get the public out there for these businesses. Come see what we have to offer around here.”