Presented by the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, April 25, 2026
10:00Am - 3:00pm
SBC @ Interworks
190 Virginia St., Mount Airy, NC
We’re excited to introduce LoveLocal, a brand-new community showcase celebrating the businesses that make our community such a special place to live, work, and shop.
LoveLocal is designed to bring residents and local businesses together for an engaging, high-energy event where attendees can discover new services, meet local entrepreneurs, and experience the incredible variety of businesses right here in our community.
Exhibitor Applications Are Now Open
We are currently accepting applications for businesses that would like to be part of the inaugural LoveLocal event.
Due to venue capacity, the event will feature 26 exhibitor spaces, creating a curated mix of businesses and experiences for attendees. Applications will be reviewed to ensure a diverse mix of industries and engaging experiences for attendees.
Booth spaces are $125 and include a 10×10 exhibitor space where businesses can interact directly with the community. Exhibitors will be billed upon acceptance.
Deadline to apply: March 19, 2026
What Makes a Great Love Local Booth?
Love Local is designed to be interactive and fun for the community. We encourage exhibitors to think beyond the traditional table display and consider ways to actively engage attendees, such as:
- Hands-on demonstrations
- Interactive activities or games
- Event-only promotions or giveaways
- Creative booth displays
Our goal is to create an event where attendees can truly experience what local businesses have to offer.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses interested in increased visibility and community leadership opportunities can also explore LoveLocal sponsorship packages.
Exhibitor Selection FAQ
LoveLocal is a newly imagined community showcase celebrating the businesses that make our community unique.
Below are answers to common questions about exhibitor selection for this year’s event.
Love Local is designed to be a highly engaging, consumer-focused experience.
With our new venue and limited capacity (26 exhibitor spaces), we are intentionally curating a diverse mix of businesses to ensure:
- Strong attendee engagement
- Variety across industries
- Interactive booth experiences
- A vibrant and visually dynamic event
This approach helps us create a high-energy event that truly reflects the spirit of loving local.
Applications are reviewed by an internal selection committee using a structured scoring rubric.
Selection is based on:
- Consumer engagement strategy
- Value offered to attendees
- Visual and experiential quality
- Industry diversity balance
- Overall alignment with the Love Local vision
Our goal is to create an event that is exciting, interactive, and welcoming for the community.
Yes.
To ensure a balanced experience for attendees, some industries may be capped at one or two exhibitors. This helps prevent duplication and ensures Love Local feels fresh and diverse.
Chamber membership is not required to apply but members will be prioritized.
Space is limited, and selection is based on the overall mix of businesses and experience design. Our focus is building the strongest possible event for the community.
If not selected:
- You may be placed on a waitlist.
- You will be notified directly by the Chamber.
- You may request general feedback to strengthen future applications.
- Sponsorship opportunities may still be available.
- Most of all, you are invited to attend and network with other local businesses and the community. Bring your business cards and get connected!
Interest may exceed available space, and we appreciate your understanding as we launch this new format.
Strong applications typically include:
- Interactive or hands-on engagement ideas
- Event-only promotions or special offers
- Creative booth design plans
- Clear consumer benefit
- Enthusiasm for connecting with the community
Love Local is about experience — not just presence.
LoveLocal 2026 sets the foundation for the future. We will gather feedback, measure success, and continue refining the event to serve both businesses and the community at the highest level. Our hope is that a successful event will lead us to expand our footprint to include even more local exhibitors.
