by Page Michel, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce President
The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate the success of the 2025 Business Showcase, held on August 28, at the San Marcos Conference Center. With more than 420 attendees and over 90 exhibitors, this year’s event was extra vibrant, highlighting the strength and diversity of the people behind our local business community.
The Business Showcase expo event offered something truly special: face-to-face connections in a world where those opportunities are increasingly rare. Attendees had the chance to meet their neighbors in business, discover new companies they weren’t aware of, and reconnect with familiar faces.
For exhibitors, it was a great platform to promote their services, strengthen relationships, and spark collaborations. Nowhere else in town is a similar opportunity offered.
The energy in the room was proof that San Marcos thrives when people come together in person. Chamber staff and board members were honored that many local elected officials attended the event, taking the time to visit with citizens and hear directly from business owners. Their presence underscored the importance of supporting a business-friendly environment that benefits the entire community.
Adding to the excitement were the spirited performances from the San Marcos High School Rattlers and Diamond Line dancers, who kicked things off with a lively pep rally. At noon, Texas State University Athletics brought even more energy with a “halftime show” including Strutters, Cheer, Boko, President Kelly Damphousse, Athletics Director Don Coryell, and Assistant Coach David Bailiff. With football season just beginning, they reminded everyone of the Bobcat pride and enthusiasm that make our community so unique.
We are deeply grateful to both of these groups for infusing the Business Showcase with energy and school spirit.
As an additional positive impact of the event, in lieu of an admission fee, attendees brought in over 417 pounds of non-perishable food donations for the Hays County Food Bank and over $1,075 in cash donations!
Special thanks go to the San Marcos Daily Record for serving as the official Media Partner of the Business Showcase. Their support in informing the community and helping to promote this event played a vital role in generating attendance and donations for the Food Bank.
What makes the Chamber’s Business Showcase a must-attend event is its ability to provide person-to-person communication…the genuine, meaningful conversations that are getting scarce in today’s digital world. These exchanges not only open doors for businesses but also strengthen the sense of community that defines San Marcos.
The Chamber thanks all who participated — the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees — for making this year’s event a tremendous success. It is through these gatherings that we highlight the value of connection, community, and collaboration.
This Fall, the Chamber is hosting several more events that will build on this momentum and continue to provide opportunities for businesses and residents to come together, learn, grow, and celebrate what makes San Marcos an excellent place to live and do business.
Visit the Online Calendar at www.SanMarcosTexas.com to see what’s ahead and get involved. Or call the Chamber staff at 512-393-5900 Monday through Friday.