FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration of veteran entrepreneurship and success, successfully promoted and advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses. From March 1st to March 7th, 2023, thousands of veteran business supporters, government agencies, and lawmakers participated in various events and activities in partnership with Action Zone Tampa.

The week kicked off with a special event in partnership with 1MC Tampa, where veteran business owners pitched their businesses to the community in search of advice, suggestions, and referrals to the resources they need to grow their businesses. The event was well-attended, and the veteran business owners received valuable feedback that they can leverage to take their ventures to the next level.

Other events featured several notable speakers, including Dewayne Kimble, an expert in the VA disability process, who led an information session titled "Understanding Your Disability Rating." In this session, veteran entrepreneurs learned how to get the most out of their VA claims and the resources available to them through the VA.

Throughout the week, National Invest In Veterans Week® celebrated the successes and achievements of veteran entrepreneurs across the country. One of the highlights of the week was the recognition of top achievers through the Veterans in Business Excellence Award, which recognized JDog Brands, a veteran-owned business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, inspiring and empowering other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship.

The middle of the week saw various panel discussions that provided valuable insights into the resources available to veterans and their families to help them cope with the unique challenges they face. Troy Howell, MD, with the James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration, served on a Suicide Prevention Resources panel. Dr. Shane Smith, Director of Central Florida for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, also participated in a panel discussion that focused on local resources for veterans and their families.

On the second to the last day, the VFW Post 4321 held a Military Spouse Networking event, followed by a talk from Kelly Douglas of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) at the SOCOM Resource Center at MacDill Air Force Base. These events were aimed at providing military spouses with valuable resources and information that can help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

The week also featured a powerful panel of Veteran Service Organizations that delivered a message of hope to the many veterans in attendance who were looking to learn more about the VA Healthcare System. The panel discussed the various resources available to veterans and their families, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

These awardees were recognized for their significant contributions and impact in promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.