Buy Local Business Expo a Great Success

Hudson, NY – Over 450 people attended the Buy Local Business Expo presented by EP Nevins Insurance Agency on October 23 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.

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. This year the Expo offered informational seminars for the first time. Topics ranged from energy to technology and green business ideas. The event also featured a local food tasting with a range to pleasure any attendee and a number of exhibitors raffled off wonderful prizes throughout the Expo, including gas cards, wine baskets, local restaurant gift certificates and more.

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 2008 Business Expo Sponsors for making this event possible. First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank, and Taconic Farms, Inc. are Major Sponsors of the Event. Clear Channel Radio, The Independent Newspaper, Midhudsonmedia and The Register-Star/Chatham Courier are Media Sponsors. National Grid is an Energy Sponsor. Columbia Hudson Partnership, Fingar Insurance and NBT Bank are Contributing Sponsors.  The Bank of Greene County, Blueshield of Northeastern NY, Capital Region Living Magazine/Travel Host, Chronogram Magazine, Crawford & Associates Engineering, DRA Imaging, The Executive Connection, Go Wireless, Greene County Tourism, Greene County Planning & Economic Development, Philmont Family Dentistry, Record Storage Solutions, and Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi, & Fucito, CPAs, PC, are Supporting 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.