An estimated 1,800 people came out for VIP Night on Tuesday, March 5, to kick off the Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s Fast Track 2024, a premier trade show designed to connect the local community with businesses, organizations, and services.
Public night was scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, with the number of attendees expected to increase at the event held on the third floor of The Clocktower at the Commonwealth Centre, located at 300 Franklin Street in Martinsville.
Like many making their way to the show Tuesday, Martinsville Mayor LC Jones said, “I pulled into a sea of cars, and made my way through the bristling traffic. I was stopped at the elevator by a sea of people for four minutes and finally had to take the stairs.
“After sneaking by the red carpet, I was greeted with a flood of amazing people and an event that is a great opportunity for our community,” Jones said of this year’s event, which provided space for around 100 local and out-of-town vendors to set up unique booths throughout three rooms.
This year’s Fast Track revolved around the theme ‘Milestones,’ to mark the chamber’s 60th anniversary. Throughout the exhibit floor, some booths exhibited signs highlighting their timeline of achievements. By merging commerce and community, the show helps create stronger bonds in the area.
In the mix of tables in the second room, local charities like the Martinsville Henry County SPCA, representatives from Martinsville Public Schools, and for-profit companies like Imagination Lavender Farm manned booths. Staff members at each table gave out small gifts to those who stopped by, along with brochures to help give interested attendees more information.
Those representing several of the attending companies said the event provides them with a rare opportunity to connect with the public and other business leaders, something that many felt was hard to do during day-to-day activities.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to see everyone who is available because you rarely get a chance to reach everyone,” said Catherine Gupton, chief operations officer of the Martinsville-Henry County SPCA. Gupton attended the show with one of the now-adopted residents of the center, Maple, a mastiff mix, to raise awareness for animals in need of homes.
Further down the row of exhibitors was the Martinsville Sheriff’s Office booth, which included a motorcade motorcycle. Sheriff Steve Draper interacted with visitors in front of the vehicle. The office often shows up at events like Fast Track to strengthen bonds with the local community.
Piedmont Community Services and Southside Survivor Response Center were among the exhibitors in the third room. Both attended to make the community more aware of the services offered to residents who might need additional support. Patrick & Henry Community College also was on-site promoting many of its trade programs for workers looking to fast-track their careers.
Some local attractions, like the Martinsville Henry County Historical Society and the Virginia Museum of Natural History, were also in the mix, and the latter expressed their feelings towards the event and what Fast Track meant for them.
“We are so happy to be part of the community, and the museum is a fantastic asset that we hope everyone enjoys,” stated Bethany Fisher, the museum’s experience manager. Fisher was helping to promote the upcoming Reptile Festival on April 20 and had some small exhibits on display.
Barry Fulcher, vice president of the Lester Forestlands also echoed this sentiment, stating that the trade show allowed them to interact with the community outside of business hours and promote some of the company’s other endeavors, like their timberlands.
Many of the businesses have attended Fast Track for multiple years and noted that the show is an invaluable community event for networking.
Sharon Shepherd, deputy director of the chamber, said she was pleased with the attendance on both nights and happy with the event’s continued growth throughout its 28-year history.
Over the years, Fast Track has been held at multiple venues, occupying between 30,000 and 35,000 square feet of space. The show hit its highest attendance rating in 2020, before being slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans are underway for next year, as Fast Track continues its mission of bringing the community, organizations, and businesses together.
