Shop Payson Expo - A success!
Hundreds came out to the Shop Payson Expo on Saturday, June 21, an event hosted by the Payson Chamber of Commerce. There were over 30 local businesses in attendance at the event. The Payson Chamber has not had an event like this in about a decade. The new chamber president, Colin Logue, wanted to bring this event back to the public to encourage Payson residents to shop local. “We have everything we could want right here in our town and we need to show the public there is no reason to travel far,” says Colin Logue.
The event attracted hundreds of local residents with prizes and giveaways donated by Payson businesses. The items included an iPad Mini courtesy of Mount Nebo Law; $500 gift card courtesy of Big O Tires; $250 gift card courtesy of The Edge Custom Shop; various goodie baskets courtesy of Nebo Comfort Systems, Local Cheddar, America First Credit Union, Gunnerson Dental, It Works and Wash-N-Wag; 2 rounds of golf courtesy of Strait Line Financial; a free bouncy house rental courtesy Party Hoppers; and many local gift certificates from Classic Beauty & Barber, Serve Daily, Behling Insurance, Payson Total Fitness, Fat Jack’s Pizza, and more. The most desired item in the giveaway was a 49” TV courtesy of Walmart; who also provided the space in their parking lot to host the event for free to the Payson Chamber.
Local business owners were excited to greet the Payson residents face to face. Rory Adams of Farmers Insurance greeted customers with free balloons, Party Hoppers provided a bouncy house for the kids to play in, Taco Bell handed out free tacos and Bread by Erika handed out free samples of her fresh made bread. Mark VonWupperfeld owner of Party Hoppers says, “I’m glad to see the chamber promote small businesses in our town because it is hard to compete with the bigger shops.” Lorene Moore of Nebo Comfort Systems said “It was a great opportunity to meet with the locals and many people told me they were surprised that they didn’t have to go to Provo or even Spanish Fork for the services they need. I even got two big jobs that day.” Lois of Behling Insurance is already looking forward to next year’s show and says, “It was a great expo and can only get better next year!”
This is just one of many events this year that the Payson Chamber has planned for the city. The Chamber is working with the city of Payson to provide free movies under the stars at Peteetneet Museum in July, August and September. The movies will be a free event for the public, provided they get a wristband in advance from a sponsoring chamber business. The Chamber will also continue their tradition of the Great Pumpkin Hunt. This is a fun scavenger hunt for kids and adults alike to travel from business to business collecting clues ending in some fun Halloween prizes.
Business networking meetings are also continuing for Chamber members. Local speakers and experts are invited to discuss the needs and concerns that local businesses are facing. Topics will include how to stand out from the ‘big box’ stores, accounting tips, how to promote shopping local and learning how social media can help your business. The Payson Chamber of Commerce is proud to represent so many diverse businesses. It is the Chamber’s goal to help grow and promote the small business community for the benefit of the town and posterity. Support local businesses by shopping at Chamber businesses or join the Chamber on Facebook for updates and upcoming events. You can also volunteer to help the Payson Chamber at future events by contacting the chamber office at 814 South 1050 West, Payson.