EPHRATA – Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Rita Witte said she was excited at the response as the chamber hosted its first annual business expo during its April 12 business after-hours.

“I think my excitement was that everybody else was excited,” Witte said. “Everybody else was happy with how it went.”

Witte said the chamber had gotten good and constructive feedback regarding the event it held at the community center located at 112 Basin Street SW in Ephrata. The chamber was able to pull in nearly 50 vendors from a variety of industries, she said. Participating businesses included professionals ranging from retail shops and attorneys to health coaches and Ephrata-area nonprofits. Witte said the chamber is planning to make the expo an annual event with the next expo already set for April 10, 2024, because April is ideal to get events rolling for the year.

“It’s just a good time because January, February and March – (those are) pretty quiet months, so it’s a good time to put something in there to get some activity going,” Witte said.

In addition to vendors, potential clients visited the expo from off the street and connected with local businesses, which is one of the chamber’s main goals, she said.

Representatives from multiple participating businesses said they had been able to connect with potential clients, including fellow businesses they could collaborate with.

“It’s been fantastic,” said Lisa Hector with Ephrata Eye Care. “I think the show has been great. There’s been a lot more public interest rather than just the business owners (than I’d expected.) … I’m impressed. It’s been a lot of fun.”

The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce’s next big event is Sage-N-Sun, set for June 9-10, she said. The annual event draws lots of visitors to the area and the team at the chamber is working hard to make it a success, Witte said. The event will include a beer garden, food vendors, crafts, a parade, live music and entertainment, a fun run, the Wenatchee Youth Circus and other activities for visitors and locals to enjoy.

Witte said the chamber works to bring business owners and the community together through networking and a sense of community. The idea is to uplift people and support local businesses through the organization’s efforts.

“It’s promotion and trying to get people into our community,” Witte said.

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com. He welcomes all feedback on the paper and any news tips community members might share.

Expo vendors:

Amy’s Artistic Expressions

Beckie’s on 1st Avenue

The Bookery

Churchill Mortgage

Clear Risk Solutions

Cloudview Farm

Columbia Basin Dispute Resolution Center

Columbia Basin hospital Foundation

Desert Oasis Designs

Devine Chiropractic & Sports Medicine

DOLZ (Dollie)

Ephrata Community Dental Clinic

Ephraa Eye Care, George Sisson

Ephrata Kiwanis Club

Ephrata Senior Center & ESC Thrift Store

First Interstate Bank

Four Seasons Farm Service

The Glamour Garage, Allison Scott

Goin’ Postal

Goron Gardens

GRANCO

Grant County Health District

Grant County Journal

Grant’s New & Renew

Grocery Outlet

Heart Matters

Heavenly Painting

Heavenly Roofing

iFIBER Communications

JBH Studio

Paul Lauzier Foundation

Moberg, Rathbone and Kearns, PLLC

Moore Furniture

Pillar Rock Accounting, LLC

QCL, Inc.

Roof Maxx

Rotary Club of Ephrata

Rustic Rooster

Sole Performance

TOPS WA 035

US Bank

Vyve Broadband

Windermere Real Estate

YM Taxes

Expo Volunteers:

Anyone wishing to get involved with the chamber can reach out to Witte, office staff or board members, she said. The chamber can be reached via email at ephratawachamber@gmail.com or by calling 509-754-4656. The office is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those listed below volunteered to help during the expo.

Michelle Moss

Alayna Webb

Dick Moser

Susan Danby

John Moore

Chamber board member families