HAMILTON — More than 700 people came out to learn about nearly 80 business and organizations at the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Annual Business Expo, held Thursday at Badin High School.

Longtime Hamilton pizza restaurant Richards Pizza promoted its new barbecue offerings by having employees dress in cowboy hats and bandanas and dole out samples of three different kinds of barbecue pizza, plus a steak sandwich with barbecue sauce.

“It’s just a good place to showcase all of our new products and other services that we provide, like our catering, which a lot of people may not know that we do,” said co-owner Gayl Underwood, who said the business has been participating in the expo for about 15 years. “And then it’s always good to get in front of everybody’s faces again and remind them that we’re here.”

Kym McCaughey of The Main Look said she signed up for a booth at the expo for a second consecutive year because the event allows potential customers to see where her full-service spa salon is located and learn about its services.

To attract potential clients, the Hamilton business set out a table of jewelry and beads for sale and distributed coupons, gift cards and free samples of hair and skin products.

“A lot of people continued to come back and buy jewelry and then, in the beauty business, you just get your name out there and when they’re looking for somebody new, that’s how you acquire new clients,” McCaughey said.

Chaco Credit Union provided expo guests information about its checking, loans, mortgages and other services, as well as complimentary mini-pig key chains, chewing gum and light–up bouncy balls, all of them emblazoned with the Hamilton-based credit union’s name.

“It keeps us out in the community and participating in the events that help the community grow and let them know that we’re out there,” said Tricia Blevins, market manager. “We educate them on where we came from and how long we’ve been around.”

Lou Adams of Fairfield said she and her husband Gordon are long-time attendees of the expo and have patronized and benefited from the businesses that participate in it.

“We just love everything that’s it in it,” she said. “The food and all of the booths. We always go around and check out everything. It’s wonderful.”

Turnout from the expo looked to be somewhere in the 700 to 800 range, which would exceed some of the previous years, according to Laura Merrill, the chamber’s expo coordinator and membership sales associate.

“I think people are trying to support local businesses,” she said. “We’ve got over 75, close to 80 businesses today, and Hamilton’s a place where can find all the products and services that you need.”