The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce is hitting two round numbers this fall: its Leadership Lake Norman professional development program enters its 30th year, and the annual Business Expo returns for a 25th edition on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Huntersville Recreation Center.
Both milestones land in a region where the Chamber now represents roughly 900 businesses across Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mooresville and the greater Lake Norman area.
Leadership applications due Sept. 3
The nine-month Leadership Lake Norman program selects a class each year for seminars and retreats covering tourism, health care, economic development, education, the judicial system and municipal government. Tuition is $495 for Chamber members and $600 for non-members, according to the Chamber's July 31 press release. Applications must be received by Thursday, Sept. 3, with acceptance letters going out by Friday, Sept. 4.
The program is open to anyone in the Lake Norman area, not just Chamber members.
Kent Minich, human resource manager for Reynolds Consumer Products in Huntersville and a Leadership Lake Norman graduate, said in the Chamber's announcement that joining the program "provided me more than I expected. Learning about the diverse businesses, local governments and developing relationships far exceeded my expectations."
2026 board chair Leah Trowbridge of The McIntosh Law Firm is herself a graduate of Leadership Lake Norman Class XXVI. Novant Health – Huntersville Medical Center is the program's presenting sponsor.
25th Expo: free admission, 110 booths
The Business Expo runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Huntersville Recreation Center, 11836 Verhoeff Drive. Admission is free.
The trade show draws about 1,500 attendees annually and is billed as the largest business-to-business networking event in the Lake Norman region, according to Lake Norman Publications. Booth space is limited to the first 110 businesses to register, and both members and non-members can exhibit. Randy Marion Automotive is the presenting sponsor.
The Expo started as a standalone networking event in 2001, moved to Davidson College from 2002 through 2018, then relocated to the Huntersville Recreation Center to take advantage of higher population and business density in that corridor, according to Chamber records.
Chamber president and CEO Bill Russell, who has led the organization since January 1996, said in the Chamber's announcement that the Expo "allows the Chamber to showcase our business community. The diversity of the businesses which participate underscores why so many people choose Lake Norman to work and live."
What's next
Interested applicants can reach the Chamber at 704-892-1922 or visit lakenormanchamber.org for Leadership Lake Norman applications and Expo booth registration. The 2025 Expo sold out its exhibitor slots.
