Mark your calendars for next year’s event – Jan. 27 & 28, 2020
Veterans and veteran supporters were on a mission when they visited the Knoxville Convention Center on February 12th – to improve their lives through a new career or networking opportunities with the help of the annual Tennessee Veteran Business Association Business Expo and V
eteran Job Fair.
“This year’s Keynote Dinner, Business Expo and Veteran Job Fair was such a great success that we are already hitting the ground running for 2020!” TVBA Program Ambassador Steve Stilts said. “Mark your calendars for next year’s event on January 27th and 28th.”
Registration is now open for 2020! Visit GoTVBA.com or call 865-414-2000 to purchase your Champion Partnership, exhibitor booth or Keynote Dinner tickets.
“We received countless positive feedback after last year’s event, and I am proud to say several veterans found employment through the job fair. To me, that’s the definition of success for this association; even if just one veteran found a new job through this two-day event it would be worth it,” TVBA President and CEO Dr. Eric W. Barton said. “We have heard so many positive stories stemming from the 2019 event as well. We are pleased to continue to offer this great service to our area veterans.”
With nearly 100 exhibitors in attendance, visitors had opportunities to speak with diverse companies that are hiring in the East Tennessee area, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cirrus Aircraft, Denso Manufacturing TN, Radio Systems Corporation, Stowers Machinery and Consolidated Nuclear Security.
“The support that the Veteran community receives here in Knox County is something I never witnessed while on active duty,” said Tom Humphries, USMC (Retired) and Knox County Veterans Service Officer. “Organizations like the Tennessee Veterans Business Association and the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council do a great job of supporting not only the veteran community but those still wearing the uniform. Today’s TVBA Business Expo and Job Fair is a perfect example of this support.”
Many veteran resource organizations – such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, Yellow Ribbon Fund and Employer Support for Guard & Reserve – were also on hand to provide valuable information on transitioning from military to civilian life. Roane State Community College, Pellissippi State Community College, Maryville College and the University of Tennessee representatives also spoke to veterans about educational opportunities.
“This is for our veteran community in East Tennessee. They have given so much to our country. Holding this job fair and networking opportunities is the least that we can do to help our veterans,” Barton added.
The February 12th event was the 8th annual for TVBA, and it garnered potential new employees, business connections and networking opportunities.
“Yesterday was wonderful. We had a lot of potential interests at our table,” Lisa Copeland, with Consolidated Nuclear Security, said.
“(TVBA) had an amazing amount of employers turn out for the event. It was very surprising to see that many employers attend the event,” Justin Kane, National Service Officer with Disabled American Veterans, said.
“I was able to make some connections during the expo that are sure to be beneficial,” Demetrice Hall, President and CEO of VETsmart, said.
In addition to the Business Expo and Veteran Job Fair, TVBA held a Keynote Dinner, which was also sold out again this year.
The evening’s festivities featured Keynote Speaker Lt. Colonel Oliver North, a combat-decorated U.S. Marine, best-selling author, syndicated columnist, former host of Fox News Channel’s “War Stories” and current National Rifle Association President. Assigned to the National Security Council staff in the Reagan administration, Lt. Colonel North was the United States government’s counter-terrorism coordinator from 1983-1986.
Country music legend Lee Greenwood entertained guests and closed the evening’s festivities with his hit “God Bless the USA” and other patriotic songs. Event sponsors also had an exclusive opportunity for a meet-and-greet with North and Greenwood at VIP receptions.
Every year, TVBA holds its Keynote Dinner, Business Expo and Veteran Job Fair over a two-day span, offering networking, veteran services and career opportunities, professional development and educational opportunities.
TVBA is actively planning for the 2020 Keynote Dinner, Business Expo and Veteran Job Fair! We encourage returning sponsors and exhibitors to secure their spots early by registering online at GoTVBA.com or by calling 865-414-2000. Mark your calendars for January 27 & 28, 2020!!
