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By: Philip Conner (Membership Director)
On March 20, 2025, the Total Mortgage Arena came alive with energy, opportunity, and inspiration during the Engage & Grow Expo 2025, hosted by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC). As the region’s largest business expo, this dynamic half-day event brought together businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, and entrepreneurs from across Fairfield County and beyond — all with a shared mission: to connect, collaborate, and grow.
Fairfield County’s Business Hub for a Day
With hundreds of attendees and over 100+ diverse exhibitors, the expo served as a powerful platform for networking and discovery. From financial services and tech startups to higher education institutions and community organizations, the arena showcased the incredible depth and diversity of our regional business ecosystem.
Participating businesses had the opportunity to build new partnerships, gain exposure, and share their latest innovations and services with a crowd eager to engage.
Interactive Learning: Workshops That Made an Impact
In addition to the expo floor, attendees took part in hands-on workshops, as well as engaging talks at the Main Stage. Sessions covered practical insights into business development, marketing, community impact, and more.
From navigating digital transformation to supporting small business growth, the programming delivered real-world value — helping attendees leave smarter and more inspired than when they arrived.
Strength in Collaboration
The Engage & Grow Expo wasn’t just a BRBC effort — it was a true regional chamber collaboration, made possible through the support of presenting sponsors, partners, and media champions.
Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: M&T Bank
Our Media Sponsor: Connoisseur Media
We’re also grateful for the support of our sponsors: Mutual Security and the City of Bridgeport.
And a big shoutout to our regional chamber collaborators for making this event a success:
- Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce
- Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
- Bridgeport Downtown Special Service District
Fun Meets Function: Passport Program & After-Hours Vibes
A standout feature of this year’s expo was the Passport Program — a gamified way to engage with key exhibitors. Attendees collected stamps at designated booths and entered to win exciting prizes by submitting their completed passports at the BRBC booth. It sparked meaningful conversations and deeper connections at every turn.
And when the clock struck 5:00 PM? The day shifted into celebration mode with the March Madness Business After Hours mixer. With food, drinks, and a festive atmosphere, it was the perfect close to a day of productive networking.
