Inspiration and encouragement are important to business leaders and entrepreneurs, and that is the goal of the 1^st annual B2B Conference and Expo from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 19.

The conference – sponsored by Buzz on Biz, a division of Morris Publishing Group, and Welcomemat –will take place at The Foundry at Rae’s Creek, 250 Boy Scout Road, Augusta, with 35 vendors and seven speakers.

“This is a day for business leaders and entrepreneurs to recharge their batteries,” said Buzz on Biz founder Neil Gordon.

“The vision is to provide leaders the opportunity to network, hear from and engage with premium speakers and vendors, be inspired and thrive in whatever business environment they are in,” said Chad Trollinger, local franchisee for Welcomemat.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments will be served all day. Tickets are available in advance for $30 and $35 at the event. Companies can purchase a table of 10 for $250.

Tickets are available at cityspintickets.com.

The speaker lineup includes some of the brightest thought leaders in the CSRA and those who are in the trenches every day.

• Jeff Annis, former CEO, Advanced Services, will discuss Employer/Employee Relationships

• Tony Robinson, COO, Ocozzio, Inc., will speak on Branding

• Brian Mattingly, CEO, Welcomemat Services, will reveal the Power of Customer Loyalty

• Eddie Kennedy, CEO, Great Deals on Furniture, will discuss Adapting To A Changing Market

• Former General Jeff Foley, CEO, Loral Mountain, will share insights on Leadership and the One-Page Business Plan

There will also be a panel discussion on small business and resources available to get started in your own business or as a franchisee. The panel features local business broker Kim Romaner, SCORE area director Kevin McCarthy and franchisor Brian Mattingly

Also, presenting sponsor Best Office Solutions will unveil some sleek, new furniture options for 2017, and presenting sponsor Premier Networx, the Augusta IT Guys, will demonstrate some key points about keeping your network intact.

Virtually every industry will be showcasing their products and services including banking, business attorneys, credit card processing, printers and sign companies, team builders, catering, office cleaning, staffing firms, office equipment, direct mail, logistics, shredding, digital marketing, continuing education, embroidery, assisted living, insurance, security systems, financial planners, home health, photography, office infrastructure, travel services, bartering and networking groups.