BROWNSVILLE — The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Business Center of Cameron County have teamed up to present the first combined Women in Leadership Breakfast & Women’s Business Expo on Wednesday at the Brownsville Events Center.
Andrea Benton, the business center’s executive director, said it’s the first big event for her organization, which started operations last October.
“Initially we were going to have a separate event, but we thought it made sense to do one right after the other,” she said.
Juliet V. Garcia, former president of the University of Texas at Brownsville and now an advisor on community, national and global engagement affairs to the UT System chancellor, is the keynote speaker for the leadership breakfast, an annual event started by the chamber.
A panel discussion will feature Garcia, Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville CEO Leslie Bingham, Claudia Cantu-Grimaldo, Wells Fargo Lower Rio Grande Valley district manager and Brownsville chamber chairwoman, and Deborah Portillo, founder and president of Portillo Chic Inc. and District 3 Brownsville city commissioner. Benton said the panel lineup intentionally represents different generations.
“We would like for the panel discussion to prompt a conversation that will motivate women of all ages and backgrounds to aspire to leadership positions,” Benton said.
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is sponsoring the event, and last month gave the Brownsville chamber $5,000 to help promote it. The leadership breakfast, including the keynote address and panel discussion, runs from 8 to 10 a.m. and costs $25 per person.
The women’s expo portion runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., following the panel discussion, and is free to the public.
A product pitch competition will take place at 11 a.m. during the expo, with five entrepreneurs showcasing their business plans to a panel of judges for a shot at $40,000 and a chance to make their business plans a reality. Benton said the winner will be announced at 1 p.m.
The expo will feature nearly 20 exhibitors from various industries, including retail, nonprofits, medical, and business services. Brownsville chamber President and CEO Esmy Villarreal encouraged the public to attend to learn about local business and organizations.
“Exhibitors can benefit from the exposure they will receive, as well as the business-to-business networking,” she said.
WHEN: 8 a.m., Wednesday
WHERE: Brownsville Events Center, 1 Event Center Blvd.
SCHEDULE: Leadership Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. $25 admission; Women’s Business Expo: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission
