CN Commerce Services Engage Expo to provide networking, learning opportunities for Cherokee-owned businesses | Services

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation Commerce Services will again host a Commerce Services Engage Expo 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Nov. 20 at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Tulsa. 

The expo is an event where Cherokee-owned businesses have a place to connect, thrive and learn about ways to grow and expand their business on and off the Cherokee Nation Reservation. 

Commerce Services Small Business Assistance Center Director Stephen Highers said the main goal of the event is to be able to grow the capacity of the Tribal Employment Rights Office or TERO vendors and connect them to the services CN Commerce Services provides. Last year’s event saw 85 vendors. 

“I mean, (the Commerce Services Engage Expo) is to continue filling up their basket to be able to make sure that they’re a well-rounded business and that they are able to seek all of the opportunities available to them,” Highers said. 

The one-day event includes a keynote speaker, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and a vendor fair and ends with an awards banquet presented by the tribe’s TERO, which is operated by CN Career Services.  

A TERO-certified business is an Indian-owned business that constitutes no less than 51% ownership. There are more than 800 CN TERO-certified vendors . Vendors that attend the expo span various businesses, bringing sample products and information.

Business Incubator Manager for CN Commerce Services Mindy Madewell-Baker said the workshops and seeing the businesses she works with every day connect and uplift one another is her favorite part of the event. 

“We want them to come and network with each other,” Madewell-Baker said. “We want them to do business with each other. There’s nothing that makes me happier than when I hear one of my clients bought something from another client. That’s like, you know, a mama hen wins because they’re supporting one another.”

The vendor fair is open to resource partners to share their business expertise that include Chickasaw Business Network, APEX Accelerator of Oklahoma and REI Women’s Business Center in Tulsa. 

Owner of Coracle Coffee in Tulsa, Tyler Duncan, was a vendor at last year’s event. Duncan said being able to connect with other Native-owned businesses was the main drive for his business.

‘The workshops we did at the event were incredibly helpful, especially for accessing grants,” Duncan said. “At this point, however, being able to piece relationships together and grow a network of businesses to rely on has proven to be super helpful.”

The small panels that are available during the event are from Johnie Johnson of the Strategy Group, Kayla Palmer of Palmer Construction and Marine, and Dillin Springwater of Springwater Outdoor Solutions. 

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. is proud of the strides CN Commerce Services has made for Cherokee businesses and communities. 

“In the past 15 years Cherokee Nation has invested over $34 million in more than 520 privately-owned small businesses, impacting over 2,300 community-based jobs across the reservation,” Hoskin said. “Late last year we launched our $86 million U.S. Treasury-backed SSBCI small business loan program, and this summer it went nationwide. I’m proud of the work our Commerce Department continues as they expand opportunities for advancement and growth through internal collaborations and external partnerships that impact our Cherokee communities. Empowering Cherokee business owners enriches the local economy and enhances the quality of life of our citizens, as well as our friends and neighbors.” 

The day will end with the TERO Awards Banquet to honor and recognize small businesses and their continued efforts.

Deadline to register for the Commerce Services Engage Expo is Oct. 23. For more information and to register for the Engage Expo Vendor Fair, email Innovation-Hub@cherokee.org or call 918-772-4144

For more information and to register for the TERO Awards Banquet, email or call Tammy Hooper at tammy-hooper@cherokee.orgor 918-453-5430.