MANSFIELD – Attending the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development’s 14th annual Business Expo was like stepping back in time to the 1970s.
The far-out event featured approximately 110 local businesses and nonprofits Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
“Businesses are always looking for ways to get in front of potential customers, and one of the best ways is to make a personal connection. So it’s a way for them to be able to show off their products, talk to customers directly and to have fun doing it,” said chamber president/CEO Jodie Perry.
“This year’s business expo is 70’s theme, and you can tell, people had a lot of fun with it.”
More than 400 people had interacted with the featured businesses Wednesday evening at the chamber’s business after-hours event, and Perry expected between 600 and 700 people Thursday.
“From a customer standpoint, you can hit a lot of local businesses in one stop and learn a lot about what the local business community is doing here,” Perry said.
The event included giveaways, prizes and even kisses from Jack, the alpaca.
“The chamber said, ‘Want to bring an animal?’ And we weren’t thinking about it, but said, ‘We can bring Jack,'” said Jean McClintock of Shady Lane Farms.
Jack would let some attendees pet his neck, and if they were lucky, he’d even nuzzle his nose against their cheek for a “kiss.”
Another vendor, Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority, embraced the 1970’s theme with eccentric outfits.
Housing programs manager Stephanie Hartzler and tenant counselor Aretha Grier could be spotted several booths away with their big hair and colorful outfits.
“For me, I was all in,” Grier said about the theme. “This gives us a chance to just have fun.”
Hartler said it was her first experience at the expo.
“We’re trying to get word out there, let a lot of people know that we’re here to help fill needs. And it’s been a lot fun,” she said.
