Southwest Florida entities have put together a one-stop-shop event for local veterans seeking job opportunities, resources, and benefits.

SWFL Inc’s Veteran Business Council, CareerSource Southwest Florida, and Florida Gulf Coast University, will host the second annual SWFL Veterans Expo on Monday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cohen Center Ballroom on the campus of FGCU.

The free expo is the VBC’s premiere event that gathers all the resources veterans and their families need in one place.

“Our goal with this event is to reach and assist all the veterans we can in our community, and to bring the veterans together to be able to network and see there are other veterans in our area that are possibly going through the same thing,” said Chair the SWFL Inc. VBC and District Representative for Congressman Byron Donalds, Stephanie Neurock. “We have the opportunities and resources available to assist them at the expo.”

This hiring and holistic experiences event is specifically tailored towards the needs of post 9/11 veterans, however veterans from every era are welcome to attend to explore programs, services, and career opportunities. The event is also open to all FGCU students.

More than 20 employers will be on hand including Amazon Military, Arthrex, SunSeekers Resort, Florida Department of Corrections, Lee County Government, Lee Health, NeoGenomics, USPS, United Rentals, RT Moore, Marriott, and First Nation Group.

Veteran services will include Congressman Byron Donalds’ office, CareerSource Southwest Florida, Concerned Veterans For America, Lee County Veteran Services, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Lee Health VA Health Care Center, APEX Accelerator, SWFL Inc., VA- Suicide Prevention, Veteran Court-Lee County, and Wounded Veteran Relief Fund.

Programs and experiences will include Home Base, FGCU Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, FGCU Career Services, FGCU Complete, Freedom Waters, Fish With A Hero, MOAA, and Veterans Florida.

“It’s pretty unique because we’re going to have veteran-owned small businesses at the expo that are local,” said Neurock, who is an Army veteran. “We also are going to have the top producing agencies in our area… the big dogs that are doing well and have great opportunities for veterans. We’ve also given quite a few veteran-owned businesses a free table so that they can get that exposure and possibly hire other veterans.

“We have government entities and non-profits. All of it is going to be geared towards veterans. Last year we didn’t really have national programs. This year, we do.”

In 2022, the expo had more than 60 tables of employers, resources, government entities, benefits and programs with more than 350 in attendance.This year, it will feature out of-state-programs attending like the Pat Tillman Foundation, which just flipped the coin at the Super Bowl.

“It’s all about bringing those resources to our local veterans,” Neurock said.

With a large veteran population in Southwest Florida, events such as the expo are an invaluable resource for those looking for direct information from the source and in-person opportunities.

Neurock said it’s extremely important to spread the word on what’s out there for military members when their service has concluded.

“A lot of veterans don’t feel like they want to go out and get the help, or that they deserve it,” Neurock said. “That’s something that’s really prominent in the veteran community. I didn’t go to the VA until probably a decade after I got out. I thought ‘I don’t need that. Somebody else will need it more over me.’ It was really hard for me to get the help. This will allow veterans to see these programs are here for them. If we don’t utilize them, they’re going to be phased out.”

To receive a parking permit, attendees are encouraged to register for this free event by visiting www.Eventbrite.com and search “SWFL Veterans Expo.”

For more information on SWFL Inc. VBC, visit swflinc.com/veterans-business-council.

The Cohen Ballroom on the campus of FGCU is at 10501 FGCU Blvd. South.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj