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Council waives Stafford Center rental fee for May 1 business symposium; organizers ask SEDC support
Summary
Council voted to waive an $8,640 Stafford Center rental fee so organizers of the first Stafford Business Symposium, led by Texas Workforce Solutions and local partners, can use SEDC marketing funds for event needs.
The Stafford City Council on April 16 approved waiving the Stafford Center rental fee for the inaugural Stafford Business Symposium scheduled for May 1, a collaboration between the city, the Economic Development Corporation and Texas Workforce Solutions.
Event details: Organizers said the symposium will be a half-day event (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Stafford Center featuring industry roundtables, an HR seminar, business booths (organizers said the venue can accommodate up to 90 booths) and a career fair intended to connect local employers with area job seekers and youth. Texas Workforce Solutions staff said they had 20 businesses registered at the time of the presentation and aim to fill booth space; they also described outreach and employer-roundtable activity already underway.
Why it matters: Organizers said the Stafford Center rental quote of $8,640 would exceed the event's budget and requested a waiver to allow SEDC marketing funds (roughly $10,000 was discussed) to be used for drape/pipe costs, catering and other event needs. Council approved the waiver and also discussed formal ratification at a later meeting. Organizers asked for a fee waiver to allow more of the SEDC funds to go into event production.
Public-sector support and follow-up: Council members asked that the request be ratified at the next meeting and discussed the SEDC's marketing support role. The council motion passed after discussion. Organizers said a Stafford Center rental waiver would let them invest in draping, pipe and catering to better present booths to visiting companies and expand outreach to local youth and employers.
Quotations (selected): "If we're able to waive that fee, we're able to actually dress up the event and utilize drapes and make the event better," an organizer told the council.
Ending: Council approved the rental-waiver request for the May 1 symposium; staff and SEDC organizers will coordinate logistics and present a budget summary at a later meeting if needed.
