Chamber hosts 31st annual Business 2 Business Expo

Published 5:40 am Friday, February 20, 2026

More than 120 local and regional businesses gathered Thursday afternoon at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual Business 2 Business Expo.

Rebranded a few years ago as the Accelerate Business Expo, the event is designed to connect businesses with one another and with the community, said Henry Bell, president of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The whole purpose is trying to put businesses in the area together so they can learn about each other’s goods and services, and for the general public as well,” Bell said. “Sometimes you’ve got a product or service in your own backyard, and you’re going all the way to California to get it, and didn’t know somebody in Tyler made it.”

Bell said the expo featured about 120 vendors and expected to draw roughly 1,500 attendees throughout the day, including business owners, Chamber members, and members of the public.

“We try to help improve the business environment and quality of life for all citizens,” Bell said.

According to Bell, the expo began more than three decades ago during a period of economic recovery in Texas, where face-to-face networking was the primary way for businesses to connect.

“Some people still connect better face-to-face, and this is what this is all about,” he said.

Long-standing institutions such as Southside Bank, Ables-Land Co., UT Tyler, and Tyler Junior College had participated in the expo for many years, while new vendors joined each year.

Among the first-time vendors was Tyler Area Gays, represented by President Billy Diaz. 

“Everybody’s been super friendly,” he said. “We’ve gotten a lot of resources and people that didn’t know we were here that want to collaborate.”

Diaz said the organization participated in the expo to raise awareness and connect with community members.

“We’re planning a whole bunch of events this year, and we’re really needing support from the community,” he added. “We’re just letting people know we’re here for them.”

Sponsors and returning vendors also highlighted the value of networking at the expo. Gray Pou, a senior account manager at Romph Pou, said the firm was participating as a sponsor for the first time.

“Tyler’s a growing community, and it’s always presenting new opportunities,” Pou said. “We’ve met so many great people and developed connections that we think will lead to long-term partnerships.”

Romph Pou, the expo’s presenting sponsor, provides full-service marketing and public relations support. Headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, the agency has operations in Tyler and other cities.

“We wanted to be a part of this vibrant Tyler community and be around all these wonderful businesses and let them know that we are here to service their needs,” Pou said. “…We’re just here to help everyone succeed. It’s just a great community to be a part of.”

In addition to vendor booths, the expo included a Chamber member breakfast earlier in the day and concluded with an after-hours networking event. Food trucks and other amenities were also available throughout the afternoon.

“We always like people to come out with lots of opportunities,” Bell said. “There’s a lot of moving parts, so you certainly won’t be bored here.”