What Really Happens at Monroe's Business Expo
By Mila Arias, Meet Monroe
Free admission. 100+ local businesses. Live music and food samples from Newk's. The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce fills the Sports Center every June, and this year someone walked out with a $500 gift card.
The 2026 Annual Business Expo took over West Monroe Sports and Events on June 25th, from 4 to 7 PM. One afternoon, one building, 100+ businesses from both sides of the Ouachita under one roof. Live music was playing when we arrived. The first song was Jolene.
What was on the floor
Insurance stands anchored the first stretch, with prize wheels and health plan banners. State Farm was the presenting sponsor. Cloyd's Beauty Schools had mannequin heads on their table. Near the back, someone had set up a giant inflatable dart board.
Newk's Eatery brought sandwiches, small bites, and pitchers of iced tea and lemonade. The Creamery rolled in a mobile ice cream cart and served scoops to anyone who stopped by.
Local businesses, both sides of the river
The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens had a staffed booth on both sides. The Trash Guys parked their branded trash can directly in the center of the main walkway. Bank of Oak Ridge, AT&T, Delta Paint Co., The UPS Store, Monroe Auto Tag and Title, Positive Outcomes, HDG Academy, Luxe Love Weddings (with a bridal showcase and a QR code for tickets), Flying Heart Brewing, the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum all had booths on the floor.
West Monroe Sports and Events ran their own table at their own venue, promoting rentals, corporate events, and advertising options. Family Solutions had a stuffed dog in a Uncle Sam hat on their table. The Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group was promoting the Ouachita Live concert series.
The raffle
The Neighborhood Vet had a prize basket raffle. We put in an entry. They called our name.
The basket: a PAWFECT dog bowl and branded items from the practice. The $500 gift card went to someone else on the floor. So did a Picnic for Two at Southern Stables. Door prizes ran all afternoon.
The Chamber behind the expo
The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber has been doing this since 1956. Seventy years. The Business Expo is what that looks like from the floor: one June afternoon where 100 local businesses show up, set up, and spend three hours talking to their neighbors.
Their tagline is "Business Focused, Community Driven, Member Supported." Walk the floor and you see what that means in practice.
Know about events like this before they happen.
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