Beyond the Call: Building Networks for Entrepreneurs & Career Professionals

Beyond the Call: Networking for the Military & First Responder Community

Beyond the Call is a purpose-driven networking event for Veterans, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Coast Guard service members, First Responders, and those transitioning from service as well as spouses, whether you’re exploring what’s next or actively building it.

This opportunity brings together individuals who are navigating career transitions, launching businesses or nonprofits, seeking employment, looking for customers, building collaborative partnerships, trying to find the right resources and community to move forward with confidence, or simply looking for familiar camaraderie as experienced during service.

Collaboration is key to success! In demonstration of the power of collaboration Beyond the Call is hosted by Action Zone, FourBlocks, GPS4Vets, and VetNet. This collaboration is made possible by our partnership with our sponsor Colony Grill who generously donates the space and pizza! We are grateful Veterans Florida has joined to co-sponsor our June Beyond the Call!

We have teamed up to bring you a powerful networking series that is a welcoming, low-pressure environment rooted in shared service and lived experience. There are no pitches, no booths, and no expectations, just real conversations, meaningful connections, and people who understand the unique challenges of transition. The perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Whether you’re:

✅ Leaving military or first responder service

✅ Exploring entrepreneurship or nonprofit leadership

✅ Seeking employment or hiring mission-driven talent

✅ Looking for customers, collaborators, or mentors

✅ Or wanting to reconnect with a community that “gets it”

Beyond the Call is a space to show up as you are and take the next step—together.

What to Expect:

🍕 Complimentary Pizza & Discounted Drinks from Colony Grill
🤝 High-Impact Networking with Military, Veterans & First Responders
🎟️ Raffle Prize Giveaway donated by Luminary Global
🌟 Rotating Monthly Locations: Downtown St. Pete & Midtown Tampa

Event Details:

📌 This event is hosted at Colony Grill in Midtown.

📌 Open to the military community and first responders, business owners, and community supporters.

📌 Welcome from Paul Coniglio, CEO Colony Grill

💼 Come ready to connect, collaborate, and support the heroes who continue to serve, this time as part of America’s economic backbone!

🎟️ Space is limited. RSVP now and be part of this growing community!

About:

Action Zone helps the military community learn the business of running a business ensuring economic success post service through entrepreneurship. Action Zone provides the knowledge entrepreneurs need to ideate through their idea and develop their business model canvas, providing them more opportunity for success beyond the startup phase. We equip them with the network, tools, and opportunities needed to launch and grow successful businesses. Action Zone moves them from lifestyle entrepreneurs to successful business owners with programs developed by seasoned entrepreneurs and business owners. If you’re interested in getting involved by sharing your expertise or through sponsorship email us at [email protected].

FourBlock is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping transitioning service members and military spouses move into meaningful civilian careers. For nearly 15 years, our Career Readiness Program has been led by corporate executives and delivered through more than 300 sessions each year. Our impact speaks for itself: 7,000+ alumni supported by 1,300+ employer partners and 400+ volunteer coaches, 60% of whom are FourBlock alumni. Ninety-two percent of participants secure meaningful employment, with an average salary of $101K and 84% retention beyond 12 months. Today, FourBlock has impacted more than 37,000 lives and generated over $552M in income growth for the military-connected community. At our core, we build relationships that turn conversations into careers.

GPS4VETS is a comprehensive navigation program designed to support veterans and their families as they transition into civilian life. Our mission is to empower you with the tools, guidance, and resources needed to build a strong career path and thrive in your community. Through career discovery, certification training, mentorship, and ongoing support, we help you confidently move from service to success — with the respect, clarity, and opportunities you deserve.

Our Sponsors:

VetNet realizes face-to-face connections that make a difference. This is a friendly forum for service members, veterans, and their spouses to gather, connect with other veterans and influential members of the local business community, hear first-hand transition success stories, and expand personal and professional networks.

was founded in 1935 by a First Responder in Connecticut , Colony Grill is known for its one-of-a-kind thin-crust “hot oil” bar pie, exceptional hospitality, and strong commitment to the communities it serves. Each Colony Grill location features a “Wall of Heroes,” honoring first responders, veterans, active-duty service members, and others who have served in uniform. Colony Grill aims to create a welcoming space for connection, community, and support for our military and first responder community.

Veterans Florida is to serve as the state’s initial point of military transition assistance dedicated to promoting Florida as a veteran-friendly state helping to provide veterans and their spouses with employment opportunities and promoting the hiring of veterans and their spouses by the business community and encourage retired and recently separated military personnel to remain in this state or to make this state their permanent residence. Veterans Florida also promotes the value of military skill sets to businesses in this state, assists in tailoring the training of veterans and their spouses to match the needs of the employment marketplace, and enhance the entrepreneurial skills of veterans and their spouses.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Action Zone