Internationally Acclaimed Speaker Andrew Davis Headline Draw for Upcoming Mission Small Business Expo

MISSION, Texas — Small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across the Rio Grande Valley will gather at the Mission Event Center on Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the annual Mission Small Business Expo, powered by the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) with Lone Star National Bank serving as the title sponsor.

Admission to the daylong event, which runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is free and open to the public.

A central draw for this year’s event is keynote speaker Andrew Davis, a bestselling author and internationally recognized marketing influencer who has gained a reputation as one of the industry’s most dynamic speakers.

Davis, whose professional background includes producing for NBC’s Today Show, writing for Charles Kuralt, and working with The Muppets in New York, built and sold a highly successful digital marketing agency before becoming a global speaker. His work has been featured in major national media outlets, including the New York Times, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, NBC, and the BBC.

Davis will kick off the expo’s morning programming at 9:00 a.m. with his keynote presentation, "The Loyalty Loop."The session is designed to teach attendees how small, deliberate moments in the customer experience can drive repeat business, generate valuable referrals, and turn existing clients into long-term brand advocates.

A Full Day of Business Resources and Networking

In addition to the keynote address, the Mission Small Business Expo features a comprehensive agenda geared toward supporting local enterprise at every stage of development—from early startup planning to expansion into national markets.

Throughout the day, attendees can access the Entrepreneurship & Resource Hall, featuring regional organizations providing capital opportunities, technical assistance, workforce development, and business support services, as well as local vendors and exhibitors.

The official schedule for the day includes:

• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Entrepreneurship & Resource Hall: Open continuously for networking, business resource connection, and vendor exhibits.
• 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Keynote Session: "The Loyalty Loop" by Andrew Davis: Practical strategies to build customer loyalty and long-term business growth.
• 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Speed Networking (Powered by Reuneo): A fast-paced structured networking session designed to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders.
• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Panel Session: "Go Big, From Home": Moderated by J. Edgar Ruiz II, Senior Vice President and Business Relationship Manager at Lone Star National Bank, this panel explores local commercialization, manufacturing, and scaling strategies. Panelists include Pilar Gonzalez, founder of Dip It by Pilar, and David Ortiz with UTRGV’s Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC).
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch Break: Attendees are encouraged to explore and support local restaurants and eateries across Mission.
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Ruby Red Ventures Pitch Competition: Presented in collaboration with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, eight regional entrepreneurs will pitch their business models on stage to compete for up to $25,000 in funding.

Supporting Local Innovation

Organizers emphasize that the expo serves as a regional hub for economic empowerment, equipping attendees with immediate, actionable tools covering digital marketing, social media strategy, legal essentials, financial planning, and workforce development.

Admission is completely free. Registration and additional information are available online at missionedc.com/missionsmallbusinessexpo or by calling (956) 585-0040.