36 businesses show services, wares at Carthage Chamber Business Expo

Jim and Nancy Howerton are the types of residents who support their local businesses.

That’s why they spent their 62nd wedding anniversary Saturday at the 2010 Carthage Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

“If this many people are going to go to this much effort to put on an event like this, we all ought to come out,” Nancy Howerton said. “We’ve lived here all our lives, it’s a gray, rainy day, so there’s no reason not to come here.”

While attending the Expo, Jim Howerton got his bride a rose from the Florette by Countryside booth for their anniversary.

In fact, the Howertons decided the flowers that decorated their wedding ceremony back in 1948 likely came from the Florette, which is more than 60 years old itself.

The Howertons were two of more than 300 people who came through to see what’s new in business in and around Carthage.

A total of 36 businesses filled every booth possible on the floor of the Carthage Memorial Hall on Friday and Saturday to greet the crowds.

The Chamber moved the event back to Memorial Hall after one year on the square and expanded it to two days instead of one like it was last year.

“This kind of event lets people know we’re here and gets us out in the community,” said Steve Bull, with John Hoffer Dodge. “It lets the Chamber members know we’re here too. We’ve had a few customers through as well. This helps make us part of the community.”

Businesses gave away pens and trinkets and talked to potential customers about the products and services they can offer. Some organizations also set up booths. The Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, a Carthage Chamber member from Joplin, set up a booth with a snake, a frog and a spotted salamander.

The Carthage Crisis Center had a booth that was sponsored and staffed by employees of Beimdiek Insurance.

JoAnn Evans, with Beimdiek Insurance, staffed the Crisis Center booth for a while on Saturday.

Evans said Brian and Marilyn Bisbee, Crisis Center co-managers, had to attend several graduation ceremonies and attend the birth of a grandchild.

“We started sponsoring their booth last year because the agency is a large supporter of the Crisis Center,” Evans said. “We want to get the word out in the community about what they do and they don’t really have the funds for the booth fee.”

Jim and Nancy Howerton are the types of residents who support their local businesses.

That’s why they spent their 62nd wedding anniversary Saturday at the 2010 Carthage Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

“If this many people are going to go to this much effort to put on an event like this, we all ought to come out,” Nancy Howerton said. “We’ve lived here all our lives, it’s a gray, rainy day, so there’s no reason not to come here.”

While attending the Expo, Jim Howerton got his bride a rose from the Florette by Countryside booth for their anniversary.

In fact, the Howertons decided the flowers that decorated their wedding ceremony back in 1948 likely came from the Florette, which is more than 60 years old itself.

The Howertons were two of more than 300 people who came through to see what’s new in business in and around Carthage.

A total of 36 businesses filled every booth possible on the floor of the Carthage Memorial Hall on Friday and Saturday to greet the crowds.

The Chamber moved the event back to Memorial Hall after one year on the square and expanded it to two days instead of one like it was last year.

“This kind of event lets people know we’re here and gets us out in the community,” said Steve Bull, with John Hoffer Dodge. “It lets the Chamber members know we’re here too. We’ve had a few customers through as well. This helps make us part of the community.”

Businesses gave away pens and trinkets and talked to potential customers about the products and services they can offer. Some organizations also set up booths. The Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, a Carthage Chamber member from Joplin, set up a booth with a snake, a frog and a spotted salamander.

The Carthage Crisis Center had a booth that was sponsored and staffed by employees of Beimdiek Insurance.

JoAnn Evans, with Beimdiek Insurance, staffed the Crisis Center booth for a while on Saturday.

Evans said Brian and Marilyn Bisbee, Crisis Center co-managers, had to attend several graduation ceremonies and attend the birth of a grandchild.

“We started sponsoring their booth last year because the agency is a large supporter of the Crisis Center,” Evans said. “We want to get the word out in the community about what they do and they don’t really have the funds for the booth fee.”

Evans, who also serves this year as the Chamber of Commerce Board President, said she was pleased with the turnout at the Business Expo.

“I’d deem it a success compared to last year,” Evans said. “A lot of people came through and all the booth spaces were filled.”

Evans said she thought the move back to Memorial Hall was a good thing, although she is still reserving judgment on whether the expo should be a one-day or two-day event.

“I think people associate the expo with Memorial Hall,” Evans said. “I go both ways on whether it should be one or two days. I’ll wait and see how it works and we’ll evaluate it and see if we want to stick with two days or go back to one day next year.”