The housing market may still be struggling, but that didn’t stop more than 140 real estate agents and business professionals from attending a recent trade show.

“In these days, it’s good to let everybody know we’re still in business and thriving,” Tim Hopkins said.

Hopkins is president of 400 North Board of Realtors, which put on the second annual trade show May 19 at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center.

The event was designed so vendors can network, but also so real estate professionals can meet owners of local businesses and possibly refer them to clients.

“Generally, the vendors are going to be in front of the most busy and the most productive Realtors who are doing the most business, so they can refer the most business to the vendors,” Hopkins said. “It also helps the Realtors. They can meet people face to face.”

This year’s event featured more booths and people, he said. The 36 vendors ranged from moving companies and property attorneys to banks and builders.

The expo shifted sites this year after maxing out the space at its previous location.

“The wonderful Lanier Conference Center was a great place for us to expand it,” Hopkins said.

He added that the event was so successful, the board may add a continuing education class and guest speaker next year.

“There is a lot of all-out in a lot of industries associated with real estate,” Hopkins said. “There’s no doubt that for several years in a row signs were going down. But now we do have a couple of them going in the right direction.”