1,500+ Growth-Minded Professionals.
100+ Exhibitors.
15+ Impactful Speakers & Session Leaders.
Will your business be there?
RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime Street, Lakeland
Join Us on September 28-29, 2027
RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime Street, Lakeland
About the expo
Central Florida's Premier
B2B Business Event
The Central Florida Business Expo is the region’s top B2B business showcase, education conference, and networking event for business leaders and professionals across the I-4 Corridor.
We bring together thousands of business owners and decision-makers who are actively looking to grow their businesses, develop their teams, and connect with local companies like yours.
This year’s theme is Elevate Impact: Strategy. Connection. Growth. It reflects where many businesses and organizations are headed next. Across Central Florida, local and regional business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit professionals are looking for ways to strengthen their reach, sharpen their leadership, and make a lasting difference in their companies and communities. The 2027 Expo is designed to help leaders build on their momentum and turn growth into lasting impact by creating space for new ideas, meaningful connections, strategic conversations, and the kind of collaboration that lifts businesses and communities to the next level.
The Official Expo Mobile App:
Your Complete Guide to the Expo, Right In Your Pocket
- Easy access to the complete Expo Show Guide including the full event schedule, exhibit hall map, venue map, and more
- Find new local business contacts and connect with attendees, exhibitors, and resource partners
- Build out your attendee profile and business card for intentional networking
- Complete challenges for the "Tools of the Trade" giveaways for the chance to win prizes throughout the day
- Browse the full list of exhibitors, resource partners, and sponsors at the event
- Build your own personal agenda so you don't miss a thing
- Have access to updates, important announcements, and key event details
2027 Speaker Lineup
Coming Soon!
CEO & Founder of OwenCo Solutions
Leadership expert, a sought-after speaker, author, and founder of LGC Consulting and co-founder of 10|TEN Project.
Speaker, Leadership Trainer, and Coach
Leadership, Communication & Mental Performance Coach
"America's Cobbler"
Vice President of Business & Economic Development at Suncoast Credit Union
Nationally-Recognized Mortgage Leader and Business Coach
Entrepreneur & Multi-Unit Retail Business Owner
Founder of MosierData, Speaker, and Consultant
Entrepreneur, Business Coach, and Founder of New Light Consultants
Professor of Marketing at Southeastern University, Founder of HotMod Influencer Marketing Agency, Co-Founder of The Influencer Academy
Senior Growth Marketer for AI Products at HighLevel
THE EXPERIENCE
What Happens at the Expo
A full-scale business experience — not just a trade show. Attendees come energized and engaged.
Expo
Hall
Exhibitors showcase their businesses, spark meaningful connections, and create one of the most popular experiences of the day.
Networking
Events
Speed networking, industry-specific meetups, a VIP reception, and casual connection opportunities woven throughout both days.
Breakout Sessions
Led by recognized thought leaders on innovation, leadership, marketing, finance, and the trends shaping business in 2026 and beyond.
Main Stage Sessions
Exhibitors showcase their businesses, spark meaningful connections, and create one of the most popular experiences of the day.
Plus, you won’t want to miss our unique food court-style lunch experience, Taste of Central Florida, presented by Visit Central Florida.
THE EXPERIENCE
A Day at the Expo
Impact
See Why Central Florida’s Business Community Keeps Coming Back
THE AUDIENCE
Who Will Be in the Room
Three distinct, high-value audiences attend the Central Florida Business Expo — all actively looking for products and services that help their organizations grow.
Corporate Executives &
Professionals
Leaders from larger corporations focused on HR, sales, and management — evaluating vendors and solutions for their organizations and teams.
Nonprofit Leaders
Fundraisers
Nonprofit executives looking to enhance organizational management, fundraising effectiveness, and access tools and partnerships that support their mission.
Entrepreneurs &
Small Business Owners
Founders and owners seeking to establish or scale their businesses with innovative strategies and real solutions — actively shopping vendors and services.
CHOOSE YOUR EXPO EXPERIENCE
A Business Event Built for Every Level of Engagement.
From exhibitors and sponsors to business leaders attending for the day, the Central Florida Business Expo gives you multiple ways to connect, grow, and be seen.
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS
Exhibitors
Businesses that want to showcase their products, services, resources, and expertise in front of an engaged audience of business owners, leaders, and decision-makers can register for an Exhibit Booth on the Expo floor.
LEAD THE CONVERSATION
Sponsors
Businesses and organizations that want to increase visibility, demonstrate leadership, and align their brand with regional business growth across Central Florida can choose from a variety of unique sponsorships.
MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE
Attendees
Business owners, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community partners can attend to make connections, discover resources, and explore new opportunities.
IS THIS FOR YOU?
Who Will be at the Expo?
Did you know 99% of the nation’s businesses are small businesses? If your product or service helps businesses grow, the Expo is your stage. Industries represented include:
attend
Elevate Your Impact!
General Admission
1 Day-
(1) Full-day Expo access
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Access to Main Stage sessions
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Access to Breakout sessions
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Taste of Central Florida Lunch
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Business Showcase access
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Networking opportunities
VIP Experience
2 Days-
Everything in General Admission
-
Welcome Reception on Sept. 28
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Private VIP Area
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Priority Seating in Main Stage Sessions
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Early Taste of Central Florida lunch access
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Optional VIP lunch Experience
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Private Roundtable Discussion
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Reserved VIP networking
EVENT SCHEDULE
Schedule
An event filled with opportunities for connection and growth. See what's happening on both days of the Expo.
- Keynote / Main Stage
- Breakout Session
- VIP / Networking
- General
DAY 1 | September 28, 2027
2:00 PM
Move In Day — RP Funding Center
EXHIBITORS
Exhibitor setup & booth preparation at RP Funding Center
5:30 PM
Welcome Reception — Youkey Theatre
VIP
DAY 2 | September 29, 2027
7:00 AM
Arrival & Networking
EXPO HALL OPEN
Registration · Coffee · Networking tables · VIP Lounge Open
Get your Expo badges, get fueled for a day of connection, and start networking and browsing the Expo Hall.
7:45 AM
Opening Session
EXPO HALL CLOSED
Kick off the Expo with a welcome from host Chris Owen, Opening Prayer from Bill Mutz, and Presentation of the Colors by the George Jenkins High School Color Guard. City Commissioner Guy Lalonde II and City Manager Shawn Sherrouse will share welcome remarks and Expo Organizer Chrissanne Long will share some insight into the heart behind the Expo as well as bring in PCPS Superintendent Frederick Heid to share about Junior Achievement Polk and how 20% of the Expo proceeds go to a program that supports our students.
Attendees will get a quick look at the event flow and discover the best ways to get the most out of the Expo.
8:00 AM
Main Stage Session Block 1
MAIN STAGE
- “5 Things Winning Businesses Do Differently”
- Emmanuel Ugude – Senior Growth Marketer for AI Products at HighLevel
- “Life-Giving Leadership: Learning to Lead From Your True Self”
- Tyler Reagin – Speaker, author, and founder of LGC Consulting and Co-Founder of 10|TEN Project
- “5 Traits of a Breakthrough Leader”
- Chris Owen – Founder of OwenCo Solutions, Vistage Chair
9:15 AM
Break
EXPO HALL OPEN
Transition back to the Expo Hall
9:45 AM
Breakout Sessions — Round 1
BREAKOUT
- Sikes F — Alisha Martin, Vice President of Business & Economic Development at Suncoast Credit Union
- Parker C — Tyler Reagin, Speaker, Author, and Founder of LGC Consulting and Co-Founder of 10|TEN Project
- Sikes I — Nick Melillo, Entrepreneur, Business Coach, and Founder of New Light Consultants
- Hollingsworth A – Nicole Bradham, Professor of Marketing at Southeastern University, Found of HotMod Influencer Marketing Agency, Co-Founder of The Influencer Academy
- Lake Morton – Lea Williams, The Curated Scene
10:30 AM
Expo Time
EXPO HALL OPEN
Expo floor open · More coming soon!
More details coming soon.
10:45 AM
Main Stage Session Block 2
MAIN STAGE
Hear from inspirational speakers and leave with impactful takeaways.
- “The Leadership Lie Nobody Warned You About”
- Troy C. Smith – Leadership Trainer and Coach
- “The Mental Advantage™: What Separates the Elite from the Average”
- Dr. Scott Williams – Leadership, Communication & Mental Performance Coach
- Dr. Scott Williams – Leadership, Communication & Mental Performance Coach
- “America’s Cobbler: A Story of Resilience and Craftsmanship”
- Expo Host Chris Owen Interviews Jim McFarland, 4th Generation Cobbler, Master Craftsman and Owner of McFarland’s Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida
11:45 AM
Lunch - Taste of Central Florida presented by Visit Central Florida
VIP EARLY ACCESS
VIP Early Access 11:30–11:45 AM. Includes Private room and Speaker-led roundtable discussion.
2:15 PM
Expo Time
EXPO HALL OPEN
Take a quick break before the next round of Breakthough Sessions!
2:30 PM
Breakout Sessions — Round 2
BREAKOUT
Choose one:
- Sikes F — Troy C. Smith, Leadership Trainer and Coach
- Parker C — Dr. Scott Williams, Leadership, Communication & Mental Performance Coach
- Sikes I — Jim Mosier, Founder of MosierData, Speaker, and Consultant
- Hollingsworth A – Nicole Bradham, Professor of Marketing at Southeastern University, Found of HotMod Influencer Marketing Agency, Co-Founder of The Influencer Academy
- Lake Morton – Lea Williams, The Curated Scene
3:15 PM
Break
EXPO HALL OPEN
Take a quick break before the next round of Breakthough Sessions!
3:30 PM
Main Stage Session Block 3
MAIN STAGE
- “A Crew, a Compass, a Captain and a Calling”
- Robby Sampson – Nationally-Recognized Mortgage Leader, Business Coach, and Top-Producing Loan Originator
- “Well…That Wasn’t In the Business Plan: The Art of the Pivot.”
- Alisha Martin – Vice President of Business & Economic Development at Suncoast Credit Union
- “One Story of Resilience and Business Growth in the Face of Challenges”
- Expo Host Chris Owen interviews Jason Pate, Local Entrepreneur and Multi-Unit Retail Business Owner of Pate ACE Home & Hardware.
4:30 PM
Closing Session
KEYNOTE
Wrap up the Expo with key takeaways from the day, a final look at how attendees can “win the day,” and a forward-looking vision for what’s ahead. The session will also highlight the Expo’s give-back partnership with Junior Achievement.
5:30 PM
VIP Happy Hour
VIPs, Sponsors, and Exhibitors are invited to join us for a VIP Happy Hour at SpringHill Suites from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Resource Partners
2026 Resource Partners
Sponsorships & Exhibit Booths are limited.
Reserve Yours Today.
The Central Florida Business Expo is growing fast. Don't let your competition claim the spot that should be yours.
Questions? Call us at (863) 333-9315 or email sales@cflbe.com