Tra Williams to Keynote 2025 Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Luncheon
TAMPA, Fla. (April 8, 2025) – On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF will recognize businesses from the 10-county Tampa Bay region at the 2025 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards. The 2025 Annual Business Awards will recognize Florida SBDC at USF and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) business award winners for their hard work and dedication during 2024. In addition, Florida SBDC at USF team members will be recognized for their outstanding work.
Guests will have a chance to network, visit exhibitor booths, enjoy lunch and hear from keynote speaker Tra Williams, at the University of South Florida (USF) Marshall Center, located at 4103 USF Cedar Cir, Tampa, FL 33620 (second floor). The event will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome from Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, and continue with presentations of small business awards, SBA business awards, network performance awards, and the keynote.
Tra Williams
Williams is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship and business strategy. He has been featured and quoted in numerous publications, including Forbes, Bloomberg, and Franchise Times, and he often speaks at conferences and company conventions. In his new book Boss Brain, Tra reveals the shocking truth behind the decline of American entrepreneurship and the impacts this decline has on individuals and communities. Using scientifically-proven research, Tra has supported thousands of entrepreneurs on their journey to self-employment. He currently consults with Municipalities, Economic Development Councils, and Chambers of Commerce to help them create a balance between large-scale corporate growth and a flourishing landscape of small business startups.
“As we go through our day-to-day routines, many of us may not realize we are surrounded by incredible entrepreneurs and the supportive ecosystem that nurtures them.” Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, said. “We look forward to a festive and informative luncheon as we celebrate entrepreneurs, the people who support them, and welcome keynote speaker Tra Williams to the stage. This event, hosted by the Florida SBDC at USF, celebrates excellence across multiple award categories, including internal SBDC performance excellence awards, regional small business of the year winners, and SBA award recipients.”
This event is open to the public. Cost is $99 per attendee. For more details, please visit https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/2025-florida-sbdc-at-usf-annual-business-awards-5a1eVO6mFPV/overview
Gold sponsors for this event include: Suncoast Credit Union and Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU).
About the Florida SBDC at USF
The Florida SBDC at USF helps create a better Florida for all by providing businesses the expertise and resources needed to succeed and grow. The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s headquarters. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit SBDCTampaBay.com.
