Be our special guest for a free, personalized and informational experience like none other if you are a:
- Separating or retiring member of the US Armed Forces
- Veteran
- Member of the Florida National Guard or Reserves
- Spouse of a veteran or military member
Experts are gathering from all over Florida to assist you with easing your transition out of the military and into your new life, accessing your state and federal benefits, or launching or growing your entrepreneurial endeavors through one-on-one discussions covering a wide range of topics and extensive networking.
No other state stands ready for military and veteran families and individuals as Florida, and no other event is as focused on you and your journey than the Expo.
Our entire team looks forward to hosting you at the Expo and providing you the Florida resources necessary to start your next journey in the Sunshine State.
Veterans Florida is established by the State of Florida under s. 295.21, Florida Statutes, to provide career, SkillBridge, and entrepreneur initiatives for separating and retiring servicemembers, veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and spouses who live in or who wish to live in Florida.
2025 Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Headshot Photos Sponsor
Details
When (all times Eastern)
Friday June 6, 2025: 9 AM to 7 PM
Featured: Career, SkillBridge, and Benefits Resources
Saturday June 7, 2025: 8:30 AM to 3 PM
Featured: Entrepreneurship and Benefits Resources
Location
Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
2225 N. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
Lodging
Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
Lodging
Experts
Experts are hosting Table Topics to answer your questions, one-on-one, and provide you ideas and assistance across a wide range of subjects. They are real experts. They’ve lived through, experienced, and helped others who have the same situations and questions you have. Helping you with your questions is important to them because they believe Florida offers the best network of support and services dedicated to your needs and pursuit of opportunity.
| Career and SkillBridge | Entrepreneurship |
|---|---|
| Networking Social Media/LinkedIn SkillBridge Career Assistance Florida Licensing Aerospace/Aviation Agriculture Defense Information Technology Law Enforcement Manufacturing |
Business Modeling Bootstrap Funding Getting Started Founder to CEO Franchising/Acquisition Marketing Networking Business Operations How to be a Supplier Grow Your Business Local Resources |
Battle of the Pitches
Twelve finalists from all over Florida will compete to be one of three winners in the 2025 Battle of the Pitches on Saturday at the Expo. The finalists are selected from submissions provided by our Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program training partners and are servicemembers, veterans, and spouses who have completed the training.
The Program equips them with the tools they need to successfully launch and operate a business. Whether exploring an idea or growing an existing venture, we offer training and connections with resources, mentors, and networking opportunities. Our participants have received numerous awards and national coverage for their success.
Come meet and watch the finalists compete at the Expo. You could be inspired to start your own entrepreneurial journey or grow your business and learn how the finalists and winners are getting things done.
If you are interested in participating in Program training, our staff and training partners will be at the Expo to help you get ready for upcoming training cycles and cohorts.
Vig Solutions, Veteran 3D Designs, Priority Objective Consulting
Networking
Networking is built into the DNA of the Expo so you have the best opportunity to meet and mingle with our Experts from around the state, our resource and benefits partners, and other servicemembers, veterans, and spouses. The Expo doesn’t include panels because we believe it’s more valuable when people network and speak with each other, not at each other.
Additionally, the Veterans Florida 10th Anniversary Networking Reception will be held during the Expo on Friday evening. Come celebrate with us as we mark ten years of individual success stories throughout Florida.
Lifelong relationships and partnerships, developed while networking, await you at the Expo.
Extras
Personal Consultations
Technical Staff from Veterans Florida, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, FloridaCommerce, HOPE Florida, Florida Small Business Development Center, and CareerSource will provide direct services to attendees who seek additional assistance with their individual issues and questions.
Professional Headshots Photos
It’s Picture Day. You need to look great with your LinkedIn or other profile photos, and the Expo provides you access to a free, professional headshot on both days.
Next Mission Florida
Next Mission Florida is a military transition seminar showcasing all of Florida’s unmatched services, benefits, and quality of life amenities for military and veteran families. Staff from Veterans Florida and partner organizations will provide you information in a classroom-style presentation from 10 AM to 12 Noon on Friday June, 6, during the Expo – so arrive early and get your seats.
Partners invited to inform you of their resources and assistance at the seminar include:
- Florida Department of Veterans Affairs – state and federal benefits assistance
- Hope Florida: Pathway for Patriots – state benefits assistance
- CareerSource – state resources for careers and certifications
- Florida Small Business Development Center – state resources and SBA assistance
While the seminar is generally for those leaving the military and wishing to reside or interested in residing in Florida after their service, any Expo Attendee can participate. The information provided is for everyone!
CareerSource Florida Expo Floor
Our partners at CareerSource Florida are presenting the Expo Floor at the Veterans Florida Expo 2025.
Florida provides more benefits, resources, and initiatives than any other state in the nation for our military and veteran communities and families. Don’t believe us? Join us at the Expo and find out how true it is.
Partners offering access to federal and Florida benefits, career assistance, entrepreneur training and resources, and more will be on the Floor ready for you. Additionally, Battle of the Pitches entrepreneurs have Floor space and a unique opportunity to display their products and services and tell their stories of success and overcoming challenges.
CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with guiding workforce development for the state of Florida. CareerSource Florida provides oversight and policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Commerce, Florida’s local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity.
Veterans Florida Expo 2025 Sponsorship
The annual Expo brings together separating and retiring US Service members, veterans, their spouses, members of the Guard and Reserves, and workforce, talent, and economic development experts from all over Florida. Reach this important, statewide audience as an Expo Sponsor.
Sponsorships are still available. If your organization is interested, contact us at expo@veteransflorida.org, and our staff will respond with more details.
Veterans Florida Expo Recaps
Schedule
| Day 1 | Friday, June 6 |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Doors Open |
| 10:00 | Next Mission Florida Transition Seminar Battle of the Pitches Practice |
| 12:00 PM | Break |
| 1:00 | Table Topics Experts: Career, SkillBridge CareerSource Florida Expo Floor Opens Personal Consultations |
| 2:00 | Free Professional Headshots Photos |
| 5:00 | Veterans Florida 10th Anniversary Networking Reception |
| 7:00 | Day 1 Ends |
| Day 2 | Saturday, June 7 |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Doors Open Coffee Bar and Breakfast Snacks – sponsor CareSource Military & Veterans |
| 9:00 | Battle of the Pitches Table Topics Experts: Entrepreneurship CareerSource Florida Expo Floor Opens Personal Consultations |
| 10:00 | Free Professional Headshots Photos – sponsor Florida Small Business Development Centers |
| 12:00 PM | Break |
| 1:00 | Battle of the Pitches continues Table Topics Experts continues Personal Consultations continue |
| 2:00 | CareerSource Florida Expo Floor Closes |
| 2:30 | Battle of the Pitches Winners Announced |
| 3:00 | Day 2 and Expo Ends |
Times, services, partners, providers, experts, speakers, and other features of the Expo may be subject to change or inavailability.
