In an effort to directly support local commerce, Governor Greg Abbott has announced the scheduling of the next 2024 Governor's Small Business Summit in Odessa. As reported by the Office of the Texas Governor, the event will take place on Thursday, August 22, aiming to connect small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs with necessary resources to foster growth and stability in their ventures.
"Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our small businesses," as quoted by Governor Abbott , emphasizing the scale and importance of small businesses within the state's economy. The Summit is set to to actively provide a networking platform and disseminate crucial advice on diverse topics crucial to the burgeoning entrepreneurial sector. With over 3 million small businesses, which employ nearly half of the Texas workforce, the focus on these economic mainstays appears more pivotal than ever.
The upcoming event, to occur at The Venue at Lantana Acres, will bring together various resource partners, spanning local, state, and federal levels. These entities will deliver insights on topics ranging from cybersecurity, finance, and funding to workforce management and local business strategies. The Summit is expected to play a key role in not just imparting knowledge but in forging connections that can lead to future business opportunities.
Registration for the summit in Odessa is priced at $20, which includes access to all sessions, lunch, and even complimentary headshots, as reported by the Governor's announcement. Interested individuals can also apply to attend future 2024 Governor's Small Business Summit events in other locations, including Weatherford, El Paso, and Buffalo. A special Women-Focused summit is scheduled for October 16 in New Braunfels, and a Veteran-Focused one is slated for November 14 in Wichita Falls.
Beyond the physical gatherings, the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office along with the Office of Small Business Assistance also hosts webinars to more broadly disseminate information to Texas' small businesses and entrepreneurs. Recordings of past webinars are available for on-demand viewing for those who cannot make it to the live events or wish to revisit the content at their leisure. For more details on the summits or webinars, interested parties should visit the Events page on the Texas Governor's website.
