News
Local businesses fill Coosa Landing for the 13th annual Business Expo
The Etowah Chamber held its Celebrate Local Business Expo and Taste of Etowah on Thursday at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden, drawing dozens of businesses and a steady crowd through the afternoon.
The Local Lantern · July 30, 2026
The Etowah Chamber held its 13th annual Celebrate Local Business Expo on Thursday at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and was free for business representatives, with a $5 admission for the general public.
The Expo is the chamber's yearly showcase for local businesses. It pairs a trade show floor with the Taste of Etowah, a food row where area restaurants hand out samples. Attendees vote for their favorites in the Best Booth and Best Taste of Etowah categories, and the chamber gives away door prizes throughout the day.
Booths lined the room from wall to wall. The businesses on hand covered a wide range of the local economy, including health care providers, banks and credit unions, colleges and universities, home services, and small retail and wellness shops. Many booths ran giveaways, prize drawings, and product displays to pull people in.
13th
Annual Expo
10a-4p
Thursday hours
Free / $5
Members / public
Coosa Landing
The Venue
Several exhibitors went well past a folding table and a banner. Onyx Studios built out a small studio with lighting and cameras and recorded interviews on site. Another vendor set up a 360-degree photo booth. Riverview Regional Medical Center anchored one end of the room with a stage-sized backdrop and a grand prize display.
Patriotic decor was a common thread across the floor, with red, white, and blue balloon columns and flag displays at booth after booth, tied to the country's 250th anniversary. Games and family-friendly touches were scattered throughout, from a claw machine to an inflatable mascot.
Food and drink had a strong presence. A beverage company ran a large sampling booth in the center of the room, and the Taste of Etowah food row gave attendees a reason to make a full loop. Live entertainment included a professional wrestling ring set up on the floor, promoting an upcoming show at the same venue.
The mix of exhibitors reflected the range of the county's business community. Booths included a 4D ultrasound boutique, a home roofing company with a full shingle-and-tile display, a nonprofit foundation, an equine wellness program, and higher education tables from area colleges.
The Business Expo is presented each year by the City of Gadsden and hosted by the Etowah Chamber. Last year's event drew more than 1,000 attendees and over 80 businesses, according to the chamber. Voting for the Best Booth and Best Taste of Etowah awards was open throughout Thursday's event.
The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County, 1 Commerce Square, Gadsden, AL 35901. (256) 543-3472.
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