State of Small Business in Austin Breakfast and Panel Discussion

Join us for an exciting morning of insight and inspiration at the State of Small Business in Austin Breakfast and Panel Discussion.

Get ready to dive deep into issues impacting Austin’s small business community. Our guest speaker and panelists are industry experts who will shed light on the key areas affecting small businesses, including workforce development, access to capital, and untapped opportunities waiting to be seized.

Event Highlights:

• Hear from seasoned professionals as they share their expertise, strategies, and success stories.
• Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, potential collaborators, and resource providers.
• Get your questions answered during a Q&A session with the experts.

The Economic Development Department will recognize and celebrate the achievements of over 20 small business owners and entrepreneurs who successfully completed at least six business training courses as part of the Business Skills Certification Program.

? Date: Monday, April 29, 2024

? Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

? Location: Austin Public Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez

? Parking: The entrance to the library’s underground parking garage is on West Avenue. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your parking ticket for validation.

Alternate Parking:

• City Hall Parking Garage, 301 W. 2nd Street. The entrance to the parking garage is on Guadalupe Street. Bring your parking ticket to be validated at the event.
• Premier Parking Seaholm Garage, 211 Walter Seaholm Drive. Parking at this location will not be validated.

☕Breakfast: Starts at 8:30 a.m.

?The program starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Whether you’re an experienced business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a community stakeholder passionate about small business success, this event is for you.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat today!

Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development and Tourism

In October 2019, Adriana Cruz was appointed to lead the Governor's Office of Texas Economic Development and Tourism, which markets Texas as one of the world's premier business and travel destinations. As Executive Director, Cruz provides leadership to Business and Community Development, Economic Development Finance, Texas Tourism, Texas Workforce Investment Council, Texas Music Office, and the Texas Film Commission. Cruz has more than 20 years of leadership experience in economic development, marketing, and international business.

Hopeton Hay, Executive Director, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program

Hopeton Hay is Executive Director of the Historically Underutilized Business Program for The University of Texas System where he has worked since 2005. He has over 30 years of experience assisting small, minority, and women-owned businesses with accessing capital, bonding, and contracting opportunities. He is a former board member of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, Austin Cen-Tex Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, and Texas Mezzanine Fund.

Barbra Boeta, Vice President/Community Development Officer

Barbra Boeta joined Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank to serve as Austin's vice president/community development officer in June 2022. She comes to the bank after 19 years working in the non-profit industry. Most recently, Barbra was executive director of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI). Throughout her career, she has helped start and grow thousands of small businesses in central Texas. In her new position, she will work with the bank's community development team to help discover lending or investing opportunities that promote small businesses, create jobs, provide affordable housing, and help revitalize underserved communities.

Aaron Demerson, President and CEO

Aaron Demerson currently serves as the President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). TxEDC is an independently funded and operated 501 (c) (3) organization that strategically partners and markets Texas domestically and internationally as a premier business destination for companies looking to locate, relocate, and/or expand their existing business footprint.

Amber Warne, Sr. Director of Business Engagement

Amber Warne has specialized in workforce development for 13 years and today is the Senior Director of Business Engagement for Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Building relationships with area employers, she is helping local companies establish effective talent pipelines through industry sector partnerships, work-based learning, and upskilling strategies.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Austin Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, United States