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Stafford holds inaugural Business Symposium to connect local firms with training and hiring resources
Summary
The Stafford Economic Development Corporation and Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast held the city’s first Business Symposium at the Stafford Center, offering networking, an expo, HR training and a career fair aimed at supporting local employers and job seekers.
The Stafford Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) partnered with Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast to host the inaugural Stafford Business Symposium at the Stafford Center, organizers said. The event included networking, a business expo, an HR management seminar and a career fair.
Organizers and elected officials said the symposium was intended to promote local businesses and provide practical resources. “Our goal is to build a better business community and make, highlight the things that make Stafford very special for businesses,” said James Cardenas, a Workforce Solutions business consultant. “Our goal today is to not only … highlight each business here that’s gonna be participating, but also to provide them education, HR strategies, and stuff that they could use to make their business more competitive within the job market here in the Gulf Coast area.”
Mayor Ken Matthew welcomed attendees and tied the event to city economic goals. “When we promote the businesses, that is good for the city, and we will have more revenue coming in. And I am all for it,” he said. Randy Kron, identified in the broadcast as president of the EDC board, described the symposium as part of the corporation’s work to “promote our area business.”
Council member William Bostick Jr. said the event combined multiple functions — job fair, business networking and free breakfast — and noted strong public interest. “Before we had over 400 people register from the public and we have businesses registered here,” Bostick said. Council member Alice Chen and Council member Virginia Rosas also spoke in support, praising the seminars and networking opportunities for helping small businesses with recruitment and employee development.
Organizers described the symposium as free and open to the public, featuring an HR management seminar, a speaker on recruitment and retention, business booths and networking sessions. Event organizers encouraged interested entrepreneurs to contact the city’s economic development office or public works for assistance in starting or expanding businesses in Stafford.
SEDC and Workforce Solutions did not provide a detailed funding breakdown or an attendance final count in the broadcast.
