The Greater Montrose Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Expo on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Montrose Pavilion, bringing together dozens of local businesses, entrepreneurs and community members for an evening of networking, promotion and connection.
The event, which Chamber President Luke Bray said drew roughly 80 businesses last year, is designed to give companies direct access to both consumers and fellow business owners in a single setting.
“You get that immediate exposure to not only other businesses, but to a large variety of people of varying financial demographics,” Bray said. “You have access to a lot of homeowners and business owners alike.”
The expo is free for Chamber members, while non-members may participate for $300. Bray noted that the booth fee is equal to the cost of an annual Chamber membership, making membership the most cost-effective option for businesses that want to participate.
“It really makes sense to just become a member and take advantage of the benefits year-round and be a part of the show,” he said. “It’s really a no-brainer.”
Bray said some businesses choose to pay the booth fee without joining the Chamber, though he believes that approach overlooks the broader value of membership.
“That is your prerogative,” Bray said, recalling a conversation from last year, “but I’m telling you that’s crazy.”
Beyond customer exposure, Bray emphasized the business-to-business networking opportunities as one of the expo’s biggest strengths. He said the event played a major role in helping him grow his own business by introducing him to new partnerships and professional connections.
“The business-to-business networking is something I personally noticed was a huge benefit for me,” he said. “I was exposed to a whole network that I otherwise wouldn’t have access to.”
“Sure, there are people who come in to just look around, but you’re also meeting a lot of good people who are pointing you in the right direction,”
he said.
Bray also compared the expo’s cost to similar trade shows and business events, noting that Montrose’s expo is significantly more affordable.
“I do similar shows and I pay anywhere from $600 to $1,200 for a show like that,” he said. “Even if you’re paying the $300, it’s the cheapest show in town to get your foot in the door. That is a promise.”
He added that the value is amplified for Chamber members, who receive both the booth and year-round benefits as part of their membership.
“This is like half off on a good show,” Bray said. “And you can get a Chamber membership on top of that. It’s really a great deal.”
In addition to professional networking, Bray said the event is intentionally social and welcoming, making it appealing to businesses with different goals.
“If you’re looking to seriously network or if you’re just looking to relax for a little while and call it a work trip, this is a good reason to go,” he said. “It’s a good party. There’s a bar.”
The Annual Business Expo will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Montrose Pavilion Events Center, 1800 Pavilion Drive.
Chamber members may register for a booth at no cost. Businesses that are not currently members can either register for a booth for $300 or join the Greater Montrose Chamber of Commerce to receive a free booth. Businesses interested in becoming members can email info@greatermontrosechamber.com or call 970-765-0914 for more information.
