Looking Back at the LKN Chamber Business Expo
Lake Norman Chamber Business Expo 2026
By Jon Show — The Lake Norman Chamber Business Expo has become a can’t miss event on the calendar for me as a new local business owner.
Last year, my first at the expo, I knew one or two people in the building. This year felt more like showing up for sophomore year of college.
After setting up Monday night, it was fun to look through the exhibitor list and spot a few businesses we had written about over the past 12 months.
There were the Lake Norman HarborHippos, which we told you about last summer during the lull in our high school sports coverage. And HAWKs, the outdoor after-school and summer camp experience designed to get kids off their phones and into nature.
And there were a few more that you’ll read about in our pages in the coming months.
My favorite part of any convention is the dreams on display. I imagine it’s a little like the lobby of a Shark Tank audition.
I met the people behind Radiant Results, a new red light therapy practice that recently opened on West Catawba Avenue, and caught up with an old friend from F45.
I also caught up with the women behind Swanky Straw, a mobile bartending company that also sells dehydrated fruit, flavored simple syrups and other products designed to elevate craft cocktails at home. If you’ve ever tried drying citrus yourself, it’s one of the easiest eight dollars you’ll ever spend.
Working a convention floor all day can make you thirsty and hungry, so thanks to our friends at Visit Lake Norman for the homemade fruit-flavored water, and to Aissa at Lake Norman Catering for circling the floor passing out meatballs.
It’s hard to stand out at events like these, and I was impressed by The McIntosh Law Firm‘s creativity. Their “Take a Lawyer to Court” sign and Pop-A-Shot basketball game did a great job of attracting attendees.
Giveaways can also be tough to distinguish in a sea of pens and koozies. The blue piggy banks from United Community Bank are always a hit, and I loved Bee Organized, a storage systems company, passing out branded honey and honeycomb snacks to drive home its buzzy affiliation.
The stress balls shaped like hot stones from Massage Heights were another unique touch. I never made it over for a chair massage, but I did get my nerve health checked by my neighbor at the expo, Jamil of Trinity Family Chiropractic. He confirmed that my achy back wasn’t just the result of being on my feet all day.
On my final lap, I noticed the proximity of the Cain Center for the Arts and the North Carolina Youth Orchestra. NCYO will make its Cain Center debut later this month with two Sunday performances showcasing our area’s young talent on our biggest stage.
Finally, a tip of the cap to Bill Russell, who leads the Lake Norman Chamber, and his team. They do a wonderful job putting on a great event and work every day to support our local businesses.
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