Buford Business Expo

10/11/2026

🎉 THANK YOU, BUFORD! 🎉

The Buford Business Expo in September was an incredible success, and we are so grateful to everyone who came out, supported our local businesses, and helped create such an amazing atmosphere of connection and collaboration.

The turnout, the conversations, and the relationships built showed us something powerful — our business community wants more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Because of the amazing response, we are excited to start planning another Buford Business Expo! Our goal is to continue bringing businesses, leaders, and the community together to create meaningful connections and new opportunities.

✨ Interested in being part of the next one?
Comment “INTERESTED” below, and we’ll share the details as soon as they become available!

Let’s keep growing together, Buford! 💚💛

09/10/2026

What an incredible lineup of speakers we had at the Buford Business Expo! Each person brought something unique, powerful, and valuable to the stage.
🎤 Ed Rodriguez opened the Expo, welcomed everyone, and kept the day moving with energy, announcements, door-prize drawings, and plenty of fun.

Following Ed’s opening, I was truly honored to introduce each of our amazing speakers and share their accomplishments with everyone in attendance.
🏆 Eric Zeier inspired us with his message about creating a winning mindset. He reminded us that success begins with how we think, prepare, and respond to challenges.

💰 Linda Gober of LDG Accounting Services presented an eye-opening workshop, “Profitable and Broke: The Cash Flow Trap Killing Small Businesses.” She shared valuable information that every business owner needs to hear about managing cash flow and building a financially healthy business.

🏈 Coach Rob Keefe introduced us to the Athens Crush and the exciting world of indoor football. His passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to leadership were truly inspiring.

🤖 Mayank Parekh of WSI Capstone Digital showed us how artificial intelligence is changing the way we do business—and how local business owners can use AI to save time, work smarter, and grow.
👑 Deborah “Dede” Long and Alexandra Radford shared their moving presentation, “Turning Pain Into Purpose.” Their stories of courage, strength, and perseverance reminded us that some of our most difficult experiences can become the foundation for helping and inspiring others.
💚 I was also honored to close the speaker portion of the day by sharing “The Power of Community,” a message that is deeply personal to me. Relationships, meaningful connections, and the willingness to support one another can create opportunities that networking alone never could.
Our speakers didn’t simply give presentations—they educated us, challenged us, encouraged us, and inspired us to think bigger!
The Buford Business Expo was filled with wonderful vendors, generous sponsors, exciting door prizes, new relationships, and incredible energy. We ended the day with our VIP Networking and Cocktail Hour at Bullfrogs, where even more meaningful connections were made.
My heart is truly full. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, attendees, Lanier Islands Resort, and everyone who helped make this event such an amazing success.
This was more than a business expo—it was a celebration of entrepreneurship, relationships, resilience, collaboration, and the power of community.
Stay tuned—we are already planning another Buford Business Expo for March 2027!
After the incredible response to this event, we can’t wait to bring our business community together again for another amazing day of education, inspiration, visibility, and meaningful connections.
More exciting details will be announced soon! If you’re interested in becoming a speaker, sponsor, or vendor, keep following this page—you won’t want to miss the next one!
This is only the beginning! 💚🖤✨

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

Hi, everyone! If we haven’t met yet, I’m Freda Kalina—the woman behind the Buford Business Expo!
I’m a real estate agent with more than 43 years of experience, President of the Buford Business Alliance, an event planner, community leader, and author.
My newest book, The Power of Connection, is about something I truly believe: success is not just about collecting business cards—it’s about building genuine relationships, supporting one another, and creating opportunities together.
That is also why I created the Buford Business Expo!
On September 8, we’re bringing together approximately 50 amazing vendors, outstanding speakers, fabulous door prizes, and hundreds of people at the beautiful Legacy Lodge at Lanier Islands.
The Expo is designed to help you connect, learn, grow, and meet people who could make a real difference in your business and your life.
Admission to the Expo is completely FREE, but please register so we know you’re coming!
And here’s something extra special: When you attend the VIP Networking and Cocktail Hour, you’ll receive a FREE ebook copy of The Power of Connection!
You can also purchase the Kindle edition or paperback on Amazon.
Register at tinyurl.com/bufordexpo.
Come introduce yourself to me—I cannot wait to meet you! Please share this reel with someone who believes in the power of connection!

BufordBusinessExpo #

09/05/2026

⚾ Who loves baseball? We do! ⚾
One of the amazing Buford Business Alliance members, Concrete Professionals, is giving away four tickets to see the Gwinnett Stripers! 🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️
Make sure you stop by the Concrete Professionals booth at the Buford Business Expo to meet their team and register for your chance to win!
The Expo is happening:
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ Expo: 1:00–5:30 PM
🥂 VIP Networking & Cocktail Hour: 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Legacy Lodge at Lanier Islands Resort
Come early and stay for the afternoon! You’ll meet approximately 50 incredible vendors, hear from inspiring speakers, make valuable connections, discover local businesses and have several opportunities to win fabulous door prizes throughout the day!
General admission to the Expo is completely FREE, but please register in advance:
🎟️ https://tinyurl.com/bufordexpo
Come connect, learn and grow—and you may even go home with Gwinnett Stripers tickets or another amazing prize! Please share this post and invite your friends!

09/05/2026

🎉 HERE’S WHAT YOUR DAY AT THE BUFORD BUSINESS EXPO WILL LOOK LIKE! 🎉
Admission to the Expo is completely FREE, but please register today:
👉 tinyurl.com/bufordexpo
We have planned an incredible afternoon filled with inspiration, education, community, prizes and meaningful connections!
🎤 AN AMAZING SPEAKER LINEUP
🏈 Eric Zeier — Our headline speaker and former UGA quarterback
💰 Linda Gober of LDG Accounting Services — Our Title Sponsor, presenting the workshop “Profitable and Broke: The Cash Flow Trap Killing Small Businesses”
🏈 Rob Keefe — Head Coach of the Athens Crush indoor football team
🤖 Mayank Parekh of WSI Capstone Digital — Speaking about the AI revolution
✨ Deborah “Dede” Long of Arabella Aesthetics
📣 Alexander Radford of Edge Agency
💚 Freda Kalina — Closing the Expo with a message about community and connection
🎁 FABULOUS DOOR PRIZES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!
We will draw names for incredible prizes during the Expo. Make sure you visit the vendor booths and enter their drawings so you don’t miss your chance to win!
This is only a preview of what you could take home:
🏡 A two-day R-Ranch cabin getaway
🍽️ Dinner and brunch experiences
⚾ Gwinnett Stripers tickets
🎟️ Urban Air tickets
✨ A Hydrafacial
📚 A murder-mystery book basket
💆 A $200 home spa package
🎙️ An audio/video podcast opportunity
🎁 Gift baskets, gift cards, T-shirts and much more!
Our nearly 50 vendors are not only amazing—they are community-driven businesses and organizations that genuinely care about the people they serve.
That is what the Buford Business Expo is all about. We aren’t simply building businesses. We are building relationships, creating opportunities and strengthening our entire community.
📚 SPECIAL BOOK LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT
I will also be announcing and launching my new book:
The Power of Community: From Networking to Meaningful Relationships That Create Opportunity
This book represents everything I believe about the importance of connecting, helping one another and turning relationships into opportunities that can change lives.
🍸 AND THE FUN DOESN’T STOP WHEN THE EXPO ENDS!
Join us for the VIP Networking Cocktail Hour from 5:45–7:00 PM at Bullfrogs inside Legacy Lodge.
Continue the conversations, meet the speakers, connect with business and community leaders, and build relationships in a relaxed setting with a drink and light bites.
As an extra bonus, everyone who registers for the VIP experience will receive a FREE ebook copy of The Power of Community!
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ Free Expo: 1:00–5:30 PM
🍸 VIP Cocktail Hour: 5:45–7:00 PM
📍 Lanier Islands Resort – Legacy Lodge
Don’t wait—register today:
👉 tinyurl.com/bufordexpo
Please do me one more favor: share this post with your friends, colleagues and fellow business owners. Let’s fill the room with people who believe in supporting one another and growing together!

09/04/2026

🏈 WELCOME, ATHENS CRUSH! 🏈
We are beyond excited to welcome the Athens Crush indoor football team as a vendor at the Buford Business Expo!
And here’s the bonus: Athens Crush Head Coach Rob Keefe will also be speaking at the Expo!
Coach Keefe understands leadership, teamwork, discipline and what it takes to build a winning organization. These lessons don’t apply only to football—they are also essential for building a successful business and a strong community.
Why should you come to the Buford Business Expo?
⭐ Meet nearly 50 outstanding businesses and organizations
🎤 Hear from Coach Rob Keefe and our incredible lineup of speakers
💡 Gain valuable ideas you can use in your business
🤝 Make meaningful connections and build new relationships
🎁 Win amazing door prizes
🏈 Meet the Athens Crush team
🎟️ Enjoy FREE admission to the Expo
🏝️ Receive FREE entry to Lanier Islands
The Buford Business Expo is about much more than exchanging business cards. It is about bringing people together, supporting one another and creating opportunities through genuine relationships.
Because Buford business is community—and community is connection!
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 1:00–5:30 PM
📍 Lanier Islands Resort – Legacy Lodge
There’s still time to register for your FREE tickets:
👉 tinyurl.com/bufordexpo
Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends, colleagues and fellow business owners!

09/04/2026

💙 THANK YOU TO OUR VENDOR—NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL ORTHOPEDICS! 💙
We are honored to welcome Northside Hospital Orthopedics to the Buford Business Expo!
Staying active and doing the things we love is so important, and having trusted orthopedic care close to home is an incredible resource for our community. Whether you are experiencing joint discomfort, recovering from an injury or simply want to learn more about protecting your orthopedic health, their team is ready to help.
Be sure to stop by the Northside Hospital Orthopedics booth to meet their representatives, ask questions and learn more about the orthopedic care available in our area.
Thank you, Northside Hospital Orthopedics, for supporting the Buford Business Expo and being part of an event dedicated to connecting businesses, organizations and the people they serve!
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 1:00–5:30 PM
📍 Lanier Islands Resort – Legacy Lodge
🎟️ Free admission
There’s still time to get your FREE tickets:
👉 tinyurl.com/bufordexpo
Come meet nearly 50 businesses and organizations, hear from outstanding speakers, enjoy valuable workshops and have the opportunity to win amazing door prizes!

09/04/2026

✨ A HUGE THANK-YOU TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS! ✨
The Buford Business Expo is more than an event—it is a celebration of businesses, relationships and the power of community. An event of this size would not be possible without sponsors who believe in the vision and are willing to help bring it to life.
🧡 TITLE SPONSOR
LDG Accounting Services
Your extraordinary support has helped make this entire event possible. Thank you for believing in the Buford Business Expo and investing in the success of our local business community.
⭐ GOLD SPONSORS
Squid Pixels
Brightside Café
Buford Business Alliance
Freda Kalina Events
🤍 SILVER SPONSORS
Gwinnett Business RadioX
Jammin’ DJs
Each of these organizations has contributed to creating an event where people can meet nearly 50 businesses and organizations, hear from outstanding speakers, learn through valuable workshops, win incredible door prizes and make connections that could open doors long after the Expo is over.
Your sponsorship is not simply financial support. It shows your commitment to helping entrepreneurs, established businesses and community leaders connect, grow and succeed together.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting my vision, supporting this event and helping us elevate the entire business community. I appreciate every one of you more than I can say!
Please take time to visit our sponsors, learn about their businesses and support the companies that support our community.
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 1:00–5:30 PM
📍 Lanier Islands Resort – Legacy Lodge
🎟️ Free admission
There is still time to get your FREE tickets:
👉 tinyurl.com/bufordexpo