Dr. Kennon Curtis and his family with Pediatric Dentistry of Madison won the costume contest’s blue ribbon at Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo & Kids Day. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison Chamber of Commerce sponsored an ‘out-of-this-world’ community event with the 2016 Business Expo & Kids Day on July 23 at Hogan Family YMCA.

Approximately 4,000 people attended the annual expo that showcases business products and services of chamber members. In addition, representatives of non-profit organizations explained their objectives.

“I would definitely consider the event a success. Everyone had a wonderful time, and our member businesses gained valuable business leads and opportunities,” chamber executive director Pam Honeycutt said.

This year’s expo theme was “Sci-Fi Saturday” with an out-of-this-world atmosphere. The chamber encouraged visitors to attend in costume as their best incarnation of an alien, astronaut, a space oddity or robot. Vendors also decorated their booths to vie for bragging rights.

“One of our members really swept the costume contests,” Honeycutt said. “Dr. Kennon Curtis from Pediatric Dentistry of Madison and his family were the big winners of the day. The family won the child and adult contests with their ‘Star Wars’ themed costumes.”

Alabama Ghostbusters won the People’s Choice award for their authentic costuming.

“Expo creates the perfect opportunity to share with our families all of the wonderful businesses and services we have right here in our own community,” Honeycutt said. “Our member businesses were delighted by the turnout and resultant business that their participation is generating. It is a win for everyone involved.”

Honeycutt said non-profits were pleased with the traffic that they received during the expo.

Several categories of companies participated, including these groups:

* Apartments – Carrington Cove, Apartment Association of North Alabama.
* Financial institutions – Avadian Credit Union, Family Security Credit Union, Premier Bank of the South, Progress Bank.
* Media – Alabama Media Group, Madison Publications/”The Madison Record” and “Madison Living,” WTKI Radio.
* Home improvement – CertaPro Painters of Madison, Floor Covering International, Renewal by Andersen, Yellowhammer Roofing.
* Heath care – Blossomwood Foundation, Crestwood Hospital, Infinity Chiropractic P.C., Madison Behavior Therapy, Madison Hospital Vein Center, Tree of Life Behavioral Health.

Madison Chamber of Commerce’s address is 130 Park Square Lane, inside Hogan Family YMCA. For more information, call 256-325-8317 or visit madisonalchamber.com.