All booths sold out at business expo

How to go

What: The 2013 All American Expo, organized by the Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton

When: Noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday

Where: Miami University Middletown, Johnston Hall

Who: More than 90 exhibitors, plus performances from area school groups and the Taste of Middletown, Monroe and Trenton

Cost: Free

For the first time in its 25-year history, the All American Expo sold out all of its available vendor spots, which some say is a positive indication for the local economy.

There will be 93 exhibitors at the 2013 business expo Thursday presented by the Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, at Johnston Hall.

“It definitely tells about the improving business environment,” said Jennie Robe, the chamber’s membership director. “Optimism is coming back, everyone wants to show off.”

But more importantly, said Les Robinson, of Robinson Heating, “it’s a sign of the strength of the local business and the local community here. It’s always been a high visibility way to keep our self in front of the business community,”

He called the expo for businesses and the public that it’s the place business owners and residents “want to be.”

“If you have a specific needs for your home or for yourself, you can find a business at the expo for that need,” Robinson said.

The expo, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. and is free to attend, allows chamber members to share what they have to offer to other business and the public, Robe said. Between 1,200 and 1,400 people attended last year’s event, which also features a Taste of Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, a raffle that includes among other prizes a 60-inch flat screen television, and performances from area schools, such as Middletown High School’s Purple Pizazz show choir.

This will be the first expo for Middletown-based Dry Patrol. Dana Davis, who has run the family owned business for the past 18 months, said “this expo shows what Middletown still has to offer.”

It also gives participants familiarity with a company’s brand.

“They remember, somewhere in Middletown, they had seen this company,” said Davis, whose family also runs BlastZone Paintball at Land of Illusions. “That’s a really important part of it, and networking — seeing what others doing and what’s worked and hasn’t worked.”