Post Falls businesses connect at Business Fair
Members of the North Star Retirement Community got into the sock hop mood at the Post Falls Community Business Fair Wednesday night. From left, Chris Wolfe, Lee Periman, Tambra Maple.
Photos by JUDD WILSON/Press Eighty local businesses and nonprofit organizations attended the Post Falls Community Business Fair Wednesday night, an annual event sponsored by the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.
POST FALLS — The Post Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Post Falls Community Business Fair at the Greyhound Park and Event Center here Wednesday night. The business fair brought 80 businesses and nonprofit organizations together this year and usually attracts 600-700 community members, said Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Operations Manager Deb Wheeler.
“It gives businesses a chance to meet with people in the community and have conversations,” she said.
Approximately one-third of the booths were filled by nonprofit organizations, with the balance spread out between businesses as diverse as chiropractors, banks, and lawn care, said Wheeler. Northwest Specialty Hospital in Post Falls was the event’s grand sponsor this year.
Post Falls Chamber of Commerce President Jamé Davis said the event is one of many ways the chamber supports local businesses. The chamber has recently emphasized professional development through its Lunch and Learn Series and CEO Speakers Series, she explained. The chamber seeks to be “a catalyst for business growth,” said Davis.
Wheeler said the event has stayed similar each year but continually refines its processes through surveys with the exhibitors. One change this year was the free help setting up exhibits, thanks to bankcda employees and members of the Distributed Education Clubs of America chapter at Post Falls High School.
With lots of room to grow, a heavy flow of business permit applications in the pipeline, and businesses continually looking at moving to or expanding their business in the area, Wheeler was optimistic about the future of business in Post Falls. Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said the event was a fun way to get all the old and new businesses together and give them exposure to the community. Davis has seen an uptick in chamber memberships and said it reflected the growth in the area. “It’s exciting,” she said.