20th SML Business Expo Thrives With New Format

Hundreds of Smith Mountain Lake residents and visitors engaged with local business professionals representing more than 100 companies at the 20th Annual SML Business Expo on April 9 at EastLake Community Church.

“It was a tremendous success,” said Erin Stanley, Membership Director and Events Manager for the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber, which organizes the event. “The atmosphere was incredible, and we received an abundance of positive feedback from both attendees and vendors.”

In addition to moving the event from early May to early April, Chamber officials also shifted it to a Tuesday with late afternoon and evening hours, making it more accessible to those who would like to attend after work.

“We definitely saw an increase in attendance over last year, with multiple exhibitors saying they had a significant increase in qualified leads they gained during the event,” Stanley said. “Overall, the date and time change of this event appears to have been a big success.”

The Expo, free and open to the public, provided exhibitors across various industries with the opportunity to showcase their products and services, engage with attendees through demonstrations, answer questions, distribute materials and connect with fellow business professionals.

Stanley said more than $4,500 worth of door prizes were given away, including a luggage set donated by Bronze event sponsor Cruise Planners and a propane fire pit donated by Glenwood Energy.

“The door prizes were definitely a big hit,” Stanley said, “as was the Dirty Water Dogs SML food truck, and the boxed lunches, pastries, and coffee offered by Smith Mountain Lake Coffee House.

The event was sponsored by F&S Building Innovations (Presenting), Cenvar Roofing & Solar (Platinum), Savvy Promos, Cundiff Heating & Air Conditioning, Smith Mountain Eagle (Gold), Bower Heating & Air Conditioning, The Glebe, B-99.9 (Silver), SML Virtual Assistant Services by Tina, S.M.L. Heating & Air, Cruise Planners and EastLake Community Church (Bronze).

For more information, contact Erin Stanley at (540) 721-1203 or estanley@visitsmithmountainlake.com.