PORT TOWNSEND — More than 1,000 people jammed into the Port Townsend Aero Museum on Thursday for the first All Chamber Business Expo.

“It has not stopped, actually, since before 3 p.m.,” said Frances Rawski, Port Hadlock Chamber of Commerce president, chief organizer of the event put on by Port Townsend, Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow chambers in the museum at Jefferson County International Airport.

Many of those attending were business owners networking with each other, but many others came in to see 56 businesses represented.

The show opened with “Speed Networking” to give business owners a quick chance to learn about each other’s businesses.

“I think with the bridge closing, people are coming together,” said Nelson Ludlow, chief executive officer of Port Townsend-based Intelli-Check Mobilisa, theorizing why the inaugural event was so well attended.

Susan Whitmore, Kitsap Bank vice president and commercial loan officer, and Rawski credited the marketing effort for the turnout.

They both cited the “curiosity factor” in seeing the first event as a big draw.

Community unity

“This is all about uniting us as a community,” Rawski said.

In fact, the Port Townsend, Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow chambers are considering uniting as one Jefferson County chamber.

Bob Winslow, owner of Creative Laser Design of Port Ludlow, was impressed with the Expo.

“This is the best put-together local little show that I’ve ever been to,” Winslow said at his booth, adding that he’s attended hundreds of others over the years.

Among the exhibitors were Reto Fili, owner of Circle & Square Auto Care, and his mechanic, Zach Stratton, of Port Angeles, who demonstrated the shop’s electronic diagnostic computer system on a 2008 Toyota Prius.

“This is where the business is going,” Stratton said, pointing out the system that reads the power levels on the hybrid car’s batteries.

Dave Brader, past Port Townsend chamber president who owns MacAid, had fun showing his 24-inch iMac system, which is adapted with Xplane software for a flight simulation.

It was a favorite of children such as 6-year-old William Kraut, who earned his wings taking off and landing, all under the roof of the Aero Museum.

Jerry and Peggy Thuotte opened the museum this year with the volunteer help of young people who worked on the facility for a chance to learn about aviation.

The event was chiefly sponsored by Circle & Square Auto Care in Port Hadlock, Kitsap Bank in Port Townsend, and The Leader, a weekly newspaper in Port Townsend.

________

Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.