Fallon Rudisill & Selena Albonigh
Wendy & Sarah Seykowski
Sarah Harrison & Susan Sears
Todd Thomson, Clay Ingram, Willa Licata, Loretto Dalmazzo, Lindsay Money & Caitlin Orzesik
A
retail bonanza was put into play at as the Greater
Pensacola Chamber of Commerce hosted the second
annual Merry Marketplace retail expo at the Pensacola
Garden Center from 2-7pm on Friday, December 1.
The public was welcomed to come and shop for unique and
personalized gifts offered by a variety of vendors and learn more
about area businesses. The Marketplace allowed attendees the
opportunity to shop local, take selfi es with Santa, and enjoy
delicious drinks at the Gingerbread Cafe. This event was created
to kickstart the holiday shopping season, and to inspire the
community to keep their shopping local this year.
“Merry Marketplace was designed to promote local businesses
and the value of shopping small this holiday season,” said Clay
Ingram, President and CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
“When we shop small, we invest in our community’s future and
make a huge impact on our local economy.”
Admission to the event was free with the donation of one non-
perishable food item to benefi t Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The event also allowed sponsorship opportunities to for local
businesses which included an exhibitor table, a space for posting
of a company logo name recognition on all printed event materials,
and increased benefi ts with upgraded tiers.
The “Jingle and Mingle After Hours” and “Gingerbread Café”
Sponsorships were available for $450, followed by “Selfi es with
Santa” for $1,000, and The Silver Bell Sponsor for $2,000.
Merry Marketplace
photos & story by
Kristina Wright
Ellen Bridges & Loresa Harris
VIP Pensacola at Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs
52 | VIPPensacola.com
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