The FREE Mobile Retail & Food Truck Business Expo returns Saturday, September 23 with extended hours and a new addition! Back for the 5th year, its continued mission is to extend vital business services and training to current, pre start-up, start-up and Spanish language business owners. This unique one day only event now includes a Mobile Marketplace that features the best in Mobile retail shopping for the public in addition to the business seminars and business expo from 8:30am to 3:00pm on the campus of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 400 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015 at 23rd and Grand South Quad Tent.
This event is sponsored by the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC)/Los Angeles BusinessSource South Region in partnership with truck manufacturer Kareem Carts, the American Mobile Retail Association (American MRA), the New 9th District Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr., the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the L.A. Economic and Workforce Development Department and RasterPrint.Net. Attendees learn how to crack the code and eliminate the barriers to starting and growing a Mobile Retail or Mobile Food Truck or Cart business in Los Angeles.
“Mobile Retail and Food Trucks are viable alternatives to the traditional brick and mortar business models. Our goal is to make the point of entry easier for those wanting to launch this type of business. At the same time, VSEDC wants to be an important resource for those who want to grow their businesses and are looking for the ‘Best Practices’ and access to capital to do so”, states Joe Rouzan, Executive Director VSEDC.
This FREE event, also provides the opportunity for direct access to capital allowing attendees to discuss financing options face-to-face with banks as well as tour an array of truck and cart styles and have one-on-one discussions with the manufacturer.
Attendees are invited to learn, eat and shop! They can expect to learn about permits, licensing, business marketing, social media, packaging, POS systems, insurance and much more. Stacey Jischke-Steffe, president of the American Mobile Retail Association states, “we’re excited to be a sponsor for the Mobile Retail and Food Truck expo for the 4th year in a row! So much value under one roof – ability to talk with experienced truckers, educational seminars by professionals, and numerous vendors to help you get rolling. The new addition of a mobile marketplace is another fantastic way to see trucks in person and other small business owners in action.” In addition to great food trucks the fashion trucks on hand will have something for every taste and every budget.
Founded in 1981 by the late Marva Smith Battle-Bey, Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) is a community based non-profit with a proven track record of over 30 years of economic development and job creation by implementing comprehensive approaches to community and economic development through business, commercial and housing development.
VSEDC continues to make an impact in the small business community in South Los Angeles by providing free entrepreneurial training, technical assistance and access to capital through the VSEDC Business Source Center a city of Los Angeles sponsored agency.
Serving the South Region of Los Angeles, VSEDC provides a suite of no-cost business services that help businesses start, operate and expand in Los Angeles.
“When we started this, the main thing was to help the consumer to understand what kind of business it is,” said Carts. “We bring all the agencies in the same location so people can get all the information in one spot.”
Partner and truck builder Kareem Setita has added an extra bonus for attendees this year. The first 500 attendees are automatically entered to win a brand-new fruit cart to get them started in business!
Admission is FREE however, a reservation is suggested and can be made online at www.vsedc.org, calling the office at 323.789.4515. For Spanish language reservations call VSEDC and ask for Randy at 323.753.2335. For opportunities to exhibit products or services at expo log on to www.vsedc.org and download the exhibitor kit. For more information about this event or the services offered by the VSEDC and the BusinessSource Center please visit our website at www.vsedc.org or call( 323)789-4515.
