Borderplex veterans and caregiver expo set for March at Starlight Center; organizers seeking speakers and vendors

Luther Jones provided an update on the Borderplex Veterans, Family and Caregiver Expo, which organizers plan to hold at the Starlight Center in March. The event will feature panels, breakout sessions, community resources, and a live claims clinic staffed by the Texas Veterans Commission, Jones said.

“We had a lot of people. Now they're trickling in day by day. Panelists and speakers were good. Vendors were around a hundred, and we're sorting it now,” Jones said, describing the process organizers are using to balance vendor categories and avoid duplication. He said the maximum comfortable vendor count is about 30–40 because of Starlight Center capacity and that approximately 20–25 vendor slots remain available.

Jones said about 50 tickets had been sold at the time of the update but that organizers planned to delay a larger public push until more speakers and exhibitors confirmed. “Attendees right now, we probably have 50 people that have purchased tickets, but we know it's much more than that,” he said. Registration for vendors, panelists and attendees is available through Eventbrite under “Borderplex Veterans, Family and Caregiver Expo.”

The claims clinic will include two representatives from the Texas Veterans Commission who will work with veterans on live claims or questions, Jones said. Organizers also plan breakout rooms and sessions covering VA health benefits, caregiver resources, and other support services. Jones said some logistics — such as a medication disposal station — were being finalized but not yet confirmed.

Organizers urged council members and community partners to promote the expo and to register speakers, vendors and attendees as soon as possible.