NWA Minority Business EXPO
Schedule
Thu Oct 14 2021 at 02:00 pm to 07:00 pm
Location
Metroplex Event Center | Rogers, AR
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One of the Chamber’s key focus areas for our mission-work is Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development.We have a passion for curating and providing business owners with essential resources for starting, running and growing business. We also like to open doors to new connections for our diverse group of small businesspeople through entrepreneurial events and programming like the new NWA Minority Business EXPO coming Thursday, October 14.
Our inaugural event creates an entrepreneurial platform for minority-owned businesses to connect with businesses and consumers in the community by showcasing their products and services. This new venue highlights the importance of minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in the region.
Whether you are a consumer discovering new places to shop, a local vendor prospecting for new business acquisition or a nonprofit organization exploring new partnerships, you will benefit from the new relationships you make at the NWA Minority Business EXPO.
The EXPO is also a great way for you to meet minority business owners and show your support by shopping local - #ShopNWA - with them.
The purpose of the EXPO is to help businesses (of all sizes and types) engage with each other and the community to make new connections, learn about our region’s entrepreneurial diversity and generate marketing ideas and opportunities.
The event features thought leaders and local subject matter experts presenting professional development seminars on getting access to capital and marketing your business, a Hispanic Heritage Celebration Happy Hour (Business After Hours), and a fun competition for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to win cash prizes.
The Exhibit Hall will run concurrently with other activities throughout the day providing attendees and exhibitors plenty of opportunities to visit and network.
Purchase your exhibit booth space for only $100 to showcase your business to hundreds of attendees including minority-owned businesses exhibiting in the trade show. This is good opportunity for vendors who want to generate leads for new business within the minority-owned business community.
Attendance is free and open to the public. No registration or tickets required. Just check in when you arrive.
Show your support for our region’s minority-owned businesses by sponsoring the event. To learn more about sponsorship packages and benefits, contact [email protected]. Sponsorships include Expo Sponsor, Business After Hours Sponsor, Gold Sponsor, Silver Sponsor, Exhibitor’s Lounge Sponsor and Session Sponsor.
Event Schedule (Preliminary):
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Check in to EXPO
2:00 p.m. | Exhibits Open to the Public
3:00 p.m. | SEMINAR: Getting Access to Capital
4:00 p.m. | SEMINAR: Marketing Your Business
5:00 p.m. | Hispanic Heritage Celebration Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. | IdeaFame Elevator Pitch Competition
The IdeaFame Elevator Pitch competition is for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges who are local, successful entrepreneurs and business executives. Two cash prizes will be awarded. Judges will choose two $1,000 prize winners sponsored by Startup Junkie. Even if you are not participating it's a lot of fun to attend!
IdeaFame was created to promote startups, improve contestants' communications skills, and increase "creative collisions" in NWA's emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem. The rules are simple - no slides, no notes, only one contestant may speak per 60 second pitch, and only one pitch per contestant.
Contestants must register in advance (more information to come).
In addition to judges and contestants, other attendees typically include angel investors, business leaders, community supporters, area entrepreneurs, and EXPO participants.
Diversity in Northwest Arkansas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to grow, and minority-owned businesses and start-ups are helping to strengthen our economy. This diverse group of entrepreneurs are women, veterans, and a variety of ethnic minority groups (Hispanic/Latino, African American, Asian, Native American, etc.) as well as other cultural groups.
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Where is it happening?
Metroplex Event Center, 2305 S 8th St. Rogers Arkansas 72758, Rogers, AR 72758, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
