Mission’s first Small Business Expo puts $25K on the line for local entrepreneurs

Mission is putting its small businesses in the spotlight next month with a new event that combines business resources, networking and a $25,000 competition for local entrepreneurs.

The Mission Economic Development Corporation will host its inaugural Mission Small Business Expo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Road.  

Admission is free.

The full-day event is open to the public and designed to bring entrepreneurs, established businesses, financial institutions, educators and business support organizations together while giving local companies a place to showcase their products and services.

“The strength of our business community is in the people behind it,” Mission Economic Development Corporation CEO Teclo Garcia said. “This Expo is about bringing those people together.”

Garcia said the goal is for entrepreneurs and businesses to make connections and find new opportunities to grow.

Nine entrepreneurs, $25,000 at stake

One of the biggest draws will be the Ruby Red Ventures Pitch Competition, where nine entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses and compete for funding.

The competition includes a $25,000 grand prize, adding an investment component to what would otherwise be a traditional business expo.

The pitch competition is part of Mission Economic Development Corporation’s broader effort to support entrepreneurship and connect businesses with resources that can help them grow.

The expo will also include a dedicated Resource Hall featuring financial institutions, educational partners, business support organizations and service providers from across the Rio Grande Valley. Local businesses will have space to showcase their products and services to attendees.

Marketing expert headlines event

The inaugural expo will also feature marketing strategist and bestselling author Andrew Davis, who will present “The Loyalty Loop,” a session focused on turning customer experiences into repeat business, referrals and long-term customer loyalty.

Davis is an internationally recognized keynote speaker whose work has been featured by The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and NBC.

The combination gives Mission Economic Development Corporation a chance to build the event around both sides of running a small business: helping entrepreneurs develop their companies while connecting established businesses with customers, partners and resources.

Businesses interested in exhibiting can contact Mission Economic Development Corporation Programs Director Brianna Casares at bcasares@missionedc.com.