BEST SOUTHWEST EVERYTHING TEEN EXPO 2025

What is the “Best Southwest Everything Teen Expo 2025”? ETE is a Best Southwest collaborative Teen Expo in partnership with the DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville and Lancaster Public Libraries driven, planned and organized largely by teenagers.

Where will it be held? DeSoto Town Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX 75115

When will it be held? Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

How much does it cost to attend? There is no charge for teens to attend the event, although there is a charge for vendors.

What is the vision of ETE? To enrich the lives of teens by connecting them with community, resources, services, and support.

What is the overall goal of ETE? Our goal is for teenagers to build and sustain meaningful and positive relationships with their community by connecting them with businesses, non-profits, colleges, government institutions, and other organizations both local and nationwide through fun and engaging interactions. This Expo will allow teens to connect with professionals while learning about valuable resources and services that can help them pursue their passion, find their purpose, succeed and overcome obstacles in their lives.

Why is there a need for ETE?

• There is a real disconnect between teens and the community.

• ETE can help organizations have a stronger connection with teenagers.

• ETE can help organizations that may be underutilizing their resources for teens.

• ETE can help organizations promote resources and services that would help teenagers.

• ETE can help organizations tap into the hard to reach teen demographic.

• ETE can help organizations show that they care about teenagers and the community.

• ETE can help organizations recruit teens as volunteers, interns or for employment.

What makes this expo different from other teen events? The Best Southwest community will work cooperatively to bring resources and services chosen by and catered especially for teenagers to one place to make them easily accessible. Library staff will team up with teens from area high schools and/or organizations to work together to recruit local and national organizations, teen volunteers, school administrators, community leaders, local government and community members to participate in the event.

What’s in it for teens?

• Access to numerous resources and information on topics that interests them.

• Meaningful lasting connections with great organizations and professionals.

• Inspiration from motivational speakers, entrepreneurs, and people doing what they hope to do in the future.

• Interactive games and activities.

• Community Service Hours.

• Food, fun, and live entertainment.

Is this a teen only event? No. This event is not only for teens but for anyone who works with teenagers, parents, guardians, school administrators, and community leaders. We also encourage family, friends, and even the young at heart to attend. We want the community to show up in a big way to show their support.

What will vendors and organizations do at the event? Vendors will be at their table engaging with teens, walking around engaging with teens, and participating in great games and activities with teens! Basically you will be having fun spreading your information while connecting with teenagers.

Can organizations participate if they don’t cater to teens? Absolutely. This event is not only about connecting teens to great resources and services but also about connecting them with the great people working at your organization. Whether you cater to teens or not, you’re invited to come help us create new connections. We encourage organizations of all shapes and sizes to reserve a vendor table and tell their stories. Whether you’re an electrician, mortgage broker, real estate agent, musician, lawyer, doctor, restaurant owner, or WHATEVER, this event is about connecting teens with people from all walks of life. They will want to learn more about what you do.

Follow us:

https://www.desototexas.gov/2155/2023-Everything-Teen-Expo

www.facebook.com/BSWTeenExpo

www.instagram.com/everythingteenexpo

For more information contact:

Ms. Marq Runnels

DeSoto Public Library972.230.9663

[email protected]

T EEN EXPO TESTIMONIALS

Thank you so much for allowing Parkland Community Health Plan to participate Saturday’s Teen Expo. I had a real good time speaking to the teenagers who came by to visit and ask questions at my information table. Terri A. Ibarra, Parkland Community Health Plan

It was a great pleasure to have been able to experience teens hungry for positivity and truth. I thank you for allowing me to pour into them and meet so many bright, intelligent and beautiful teens. It was a great turn out and experience. Candice Holmes – Rock My Beauty God’s Way, OCBF Youth Minister

It was a pleasure to be at the event on Saturday! Although I was only there for the afternoon section, my table was constantly visited by students eager to learn more about volunteering and getting involved in something new. This was a great event and we are looking forward to next year. Thank you again for inviting VolunteerNow to be a part of this event. Meghan Delaney – VolunteerNow, Community Engagement and Impact Manager

I just wanted to congratulate you on such a successful event and to let you know how much we enjoyed the kids! We were extremely happy to meet, greet and interact with them as this was certainly right up our alley! We look forward to participating in future events. Please keep us in mind for next year! Cassie Cole, CEO and Founder of ICONIQ Teen Model Management

Thank you so much for allowing Beyond Enough to be part of such a wonderful event. We are super excited about next year and definitely want to be there! Please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do between now and then! It was such a great day, thanks again! Shawnda Tate – President and Founder of Beyond Enough Inc.

WOW another year in the books! Every year, the Everything Teen Expo is a success and gets better and better! God bless you for sharing the vision with the community and giving teens a chance to shine. The Natural Hair Boot Camp and Fashion seminars helped so many families and teens. Thank you for extending the invitation! Xerkell Palmer, Image and Natural Hair Consultant Modeltude Agency

This is one of the most amazing events for our young people so much to see and do it would take a week. SimpleFunk14 Ent

Great day at the Best Southwest Everything Teen Expo yesterday. #teamNIAKids represented well! Connected with awesome organizations working to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Together we can make a greater impact. LaTara Thompkins, NIA KIDS

Thank you all so much for having our NG Dance/Performance family out. We had a BLAST!!!! CAN’T WAIT until next year!!!Becky Upshaw, NG Dance Company

Had an awesome time speaking with the youth at the Best Southwest Teen Everything Expo! I'm so impressed by the articulate young adults I've interacted with today! Tawni Haynes, CEO of Tawni Haynes Custom Apparel ICONYQ

So blessed to be a part of the DeSoto Teen Expo and meet young ladies interested in being a part of Full on Faith Foundation. This was a great opportunity for teens looking for mentors. Tiffany Moody, Full on Faith Foundation

We had only been at the Desoto Library Teen Expo event for an hour and had over 50 signatures! By the end of the day we had 245 signatures! Each of these teens made a commitment not use a gun to resolve issues and that they would encourage others not to use a gun as well! Cathy Felts Taylor, Journey4ward

Thank you for having me! This year was a blast! I look forward to next year and any other opportunities! Tameika Jackson, Tameikas Ventures

Everything Teen Expo is the guiding light that will shine for many years to come for our teens. This event is very instrumental in more ways than one and is definitely needed within ALL communities. Having a one stop shop filled with various resources, fun and live entertainment is AWESOME. We are looking forward to participating in next year's event. Kudos to Desoto Public Library Marq Runnels & the Teen Council for a wonderful experience! Donyan Rogers, Modeltude Agency

This was an amazing event!! It was very well planned and operated very smoothly. Many different people with one PURPOSE. If I had to use one word to describe the event it would simply be ....OUTSTANDING!!! My creative wheels are turning ...... I want to win the BEST BOOTH next year!! J Herford, Mary Kay Consultant

I wanted to thank you for an outstanding Teen Expo. GG's Gown Gallery made some great contacts and met some wonderful people. Job Well Done! Debbie McCrary-Eldridge, GG's Gown Gallery

I wanted to reiterate that I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our teens on Saturday at the expo and in my workshop!! Thank you so much for welcoming me!!! Your team was amazing!! I would love to participate in this event next year. Again you and the teens did a great job!! My heart was full for the rest of the weekend!! Kimberly Thacker Webb, Degrees of Deception

Thank you so much for having us!! It was a pleasure. The dancers and their parents were so grateful for the opportunity. We are surely interested in participating next year, not only with a performance but perhaps we will be able to set up a booth as well. Omoniyi Obioha, Academy Director Dallas Black Dance Theater

We thank you so much for the teen expo event Saturday. The staff at Bridging the Gap Owens Foundation had so much fun and met a lot of people and learned so much. Tondra Dennis

Thank you so very much for adding Alexa Luckey to the lineup for Saturday's Teen Expo in Desoto. Alexa had a blast and was able to inspire youth, as well as, give encouraging words to a few vendors. We also purchased some great books and received a lot of great information and networking contacts. Great Event! Amber Johnson

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

DeSoto Town Center, 211 East Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, United States