OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — It's no gamble to attend the 18th annual Hamilton Business Expo, featuring almost 80 area businesses at the free Las Vegas-themed event.

The expo, put on by the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and presented by Cincinnati Bell, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at Badin High School, 571 New London Road.

There have been 79 businesses that have signed up for booths at the event — about the same amount as last year, said Laura Merrill, expo coordinator for the chamber.

Despite difficult economic times, it's always a good idea to promote your business as much as you can, she said.

"We are glad people are willing to come out even when times are hard to showcase their business," Merrill said. "It's worth it even in the short amount of time."

In addition to businesses, restaurants and caterers will also be showcasing their foods by offering free samples to participants.

The chamber will be offering several prizes, including a family membership to the YMCA and memberships to the Coach House Tavern & Grill on Berkley Drive in Hamilton, Merrill said.

Some of the businesses to be featured include Animal Friends Humane Society, Brown's Marketplace, First Financial Bank, Mercy Hospital Fairfield, Miami University Hamilton, Wal-Mart, BizTech Center and Butler Tech.

For more information about the expo, contact Merrill at the chamber at (513) 844-1500.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jlander@coxohio.com.