GALENA PARK, Texas — United Community Credit Union may have benefited from Crosby-Huffman Chamber of Commerce's recent Consumer Expo, which for the first time allowed participants to actually sell their wares.

According to the Lake Houston Sentinel, the Jan. 31 expo relaxed the rules allowing participating businesses to promote and sell their products and services. Chamber President Ryan Konarik said before, businesses were only allowed to give away free things. The change was made to put more muscle behind promoting local businesses.

Janet Colunga-Allen, marketing director for $68 million United Community CU, told the publication that consumers are taking a second look at credit unions given the housing and economic downturn.

"A lot of people are starting to think it's a good time to join a credit union. It's one of the safest places to put your money right now," Colunga-Allen said.

This year's expo also marks the first time businesses could participate even if they were not members of the chamber. Konarik told the publication "Now there's actual selling going on, which is what both we and the business community have wanted all along."

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