Pictured: The Fall Expo 2025 will be significantly larger than last year's event. Photo provided by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to host its largest Fall Expo to date this Thursday, bringing an expanded showcase of local businesses and opportunities for networking and connecting with the regional economic community. Designed to spotlight the strength and diversity of Manatee County’s business landscape, the annual Expo brings together organizations of all sizes for an event that focuses on collaboration, community engagement and locally driven economic growth.

“The Manatee chamber hosts our annual Fall Expo as a way to really shine a bright light on local businesses and employers. Our goal is to help the community connect with chamber member businesses, nonprofits and other employers, so that we can do more business locally, and so that we also can strengthen the connections between not just our Chamber members, but our connections with the broader community as well,” says Chamber President Jacki Dezelski.

This year, the Expo will take place at LECOM Park in Bradenton and will feature 103 businesses—the most participants the event has ever had—offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of products and services. Dezelski says this growth reflects the momentum of Manatee County’s business community. “Now more than ever, it is so important for us to do business locally in every way that we can, whether that's for the needs that we have for our workplaces, or whether that is for our own personal needs. Supporting local businesses has never been more important,” she says.

Along with exhibitor booths, the Expo will feature entertainment, DJ music, prizes awarded throughout the evening, several local restaurants offering complimentary food and beverage samples and a Pirates and Marauders concession stand for those seeking classic ballpark fare. “The grand prize this year, and there's no purchase necessary to enter the grand prize drawing, is going to be the usage of the Mayor's Suite at LECOM Park, for up to 25 guests, at a 2026 Bradenton Marauders game, including a food and beverage package,” Dezelski says about the prize options.

“Many of the businesses and nonprofits that secure a booth will have engaging ways to invite the public to learn more about their business and organization through their booth,” says Dezelski. “Often, there are a lot of giveaways out of those booths as well.” To encourage community attendance, the Chamber is offering free admission for readers who register using the code GUEST to replace the regular $10 ticket fee.

Pictured: The Fall Expo 2025 will be significantly larger than last year's event. Photo provided by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.