Buy Local Business Expo a Great Success

Hudson , NY , October 27, 2006 – Over 500 people attended the Buy Local Business Expo on October 26 at Columbia-Greene Community College . The Expo ran from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and highlighted over 70 local businesses from Columbia and Greene Counties.  Click here to view the photo gallery.

Columbia County Chamber Chairman Rick Bianchi presented the Ginsberg Family with the Chairman's Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Expo. The award not only recognized the commercial success of the Ginsberg Food, Inc. but also the family's energetic support over the years of a wide variety of community organizations. In recognizing these impressive achievements, Chamber Chairman Rick Bianchi said, “The company has made a profound impact on our community. For three generations, this family business has been responsible for providing employment opportunities for our residents while also contributing a tremendous amount of time and money to community organizations. We were very pleased to present them with this award.”

The sold out Expo was free and attracted crowds from both the business community and the public. The Chambers were very pleased with the variety of people that attended the Expo. The Expo featured a local food tasting with a range to pleasure any attendee. A number of exhibitors also raffled off wonderful prizes throughout the Expo. Three packages focused on local lodging, dining and entertainment were also raffled off. The packages covered different areas of Columbia County and were themed the “City, Country and Ski Packages”.

The “City Package” featured an overnight stay at The Country Squire Bed & Breakfast, tickets to a 2007 mid-week performance at Stageworks/Hudson and lunch for two at Mexican Radio. The “Country Package” featured a two-night stay at The Inn at Silver Maple Farm, tickets to the Ghent Playhouse, and brunch for two at Lippera's at the Chatham House. The “Ski Package” features a three-night stay at Silvanus Lodge, lift tickets to Catamount Ski Area and lunch for two at Swiss Hutte. Thank you to the local businesses who donated so generously for these raffles.

The Buy Local Business Expo, produced by the Columbia and Greene County Chambers of Commerce, was held to highlight the many great businesses that you can find right here at home. “The Columbia and Greene County Chambers spend so much energy on helping people to buy local because it makes such a large impact on our economy,” said Chamber President David Colby. Colby referenced economic studies that concluded that the money from a local purchase is spent another five to seven times in the local economy. These studies stated that the money “multiplies” because local merchants spend the money from the local purchases with other local merchants. This money is spent again and again locally. “Encouraging people to buy local may be the most important thing that the Chamber of Commerce does,” added Colby.

The Chamber wishes to thank the 2006 Business Expo Sponsors for making this event possible. National Union Bank of Kinderhook and First Niagara Bank were Major Sponsors of the Event. Midhudsonmedia ; The Independent Newspaper; The Register-Star/Chatham Courier ; Clear Channel Radio ; and the Hudson Valley Business Journal were Media Sponsors. Mid-Hudson VIP was a Gold Sponsor.  The Columbia Hudson Partnership was a Silver Sponsor.  Accent Furniture, Inc. ; The Bank of Greene County ; Chatham Properties ; Columbia-Greene Community College; Crawford & Associates Engineering, PC; Dunn Builders Supply ; Ed Herrington, Inc.; The Executive Connection; GNH Lumber, Inc.; Go Wireless; Greene County Planning & Economic Development; Hillcrest Press; Metz Wood Harder Insurance ; Pro Printers ; The Rosery Flower Shop/The Yankee Petaler; Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi, & Fucito, CPAs, PC; Tierra Farm ; and Winnovative Tech Consulting, LLC were Brass Sponsors.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County , providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.