In the Community

Join the New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center for the New Mexico Small Business Lender Expo on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. at DreamSpring, 2000 Zearing Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104.

This event is designed to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs connect directly with local, regional, and national lenders, explore financing options, and build valuable relationships with resource providers and community partners. Whether you are preparing to launch a business, looking for capital to expand, or simply want to better understand your funding options, this is a great opportunity to make connections and gather information that can help move your business forward.

Presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services, New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center, and hosted by DreamSpring.

From October 20–23, more than 2,100 CDFI practitioners, investors, funders, policymakers, and partners will gather in New Orleans—a city that knows what determined, community-rooted capital can rebuild—for OFN’s 42nd Annual Conference. This year’s theme, Opportunity Next, builds on the foundation of the last four decades and charts what comes next for the CDFI industry: new capital solutions, expanded access, and leadership ready to scale what works.

Through thought-provoking plenaries, breakout sessions, training, and tours of CDFI impact in the Gulf region, OFN42 will explore what’s working, what’s evolving, and how we scale impact—together. 

Join the Tory Burch Foundation for this exciting workshop! Your biggest sales season can put every part of your business to the test. Get practical strategies to prepare, respond, and make the most of year-end demand. Register now!

Join Capital One Café and DreamSpring for a two-part conversation series designed for local small business owners, founders, and CEOs. Our second session is the Architecture of Acceleration: Building Borrowing Readiness & Scaling Your Business. Here, you'll discover what lenders look for — like clean financial statements and strong reserves — so you can strategically utilize business checking, credit cards, and lines of credit to scale. After each panel, enjoy light refreshments, connect 1-on-1 with Capital One Ambassadors, Small Business Bankers, and network with other local leaders. Come for the insights, stay for the community. Register now!

Join DreamSpring at the SBA's upcoming virtual workshop, Financing Your Small Business: Loans, Microloans & Alternative Capital!

Finding the right financing can be one of the biggest challenges for small business owners. Traditional bank financing isn’t the only option available. Join the SBA Houston District Office for a virtual discussion exploring financing options available to entrepreneurs and small businesses, including options that may serve businesses that are not yet ready for traditional bank financing. The discussion will cover available loan products, typical funding uses, eligibility considerations, application requirements, how lenders evaluate financing requests, and steps business owners can take to better prepare before applying for capital. Attendees will hear directly from participating lenders, learn how different financing options may fit various stages and needs of a business, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Whether you’re looking for capital to start, stabilize, expand, purchase equipment, or support other business needs, this session will help you better understand available financing options and how to prepare for the lending process. 

Join us for an afternoon that will bring business owners together to hear from experienced entrepreneurs, have thoughtful roundtable conversations with other owners and Frost bankers, and walk away with practical ideas they can use in their businesses.

 Formerly known as the Frost Business Building Series, the program has been updated this year to create a stronger experience for our business owners, bankers, and community partners. Since the program began, Frost has helped more than 450 businesses gain knowledge, confidence, and tools to support their growth.
 
Applications are now open, and eligible business owners can apply directly by clicking here. Event Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy at NorthPark at 205 NorthPark Ctr, Dallas, TX 75225 

Start your morning right at Business, Banking & Breakfast! Join Vista Bank on Friday, November 20, at 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for a networking event for local business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry experts, brought to you in partnership with the South Dallas Fair Park Innovation Center and the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. Grab a bite, share ideas with fellow business owners, and connect directly with industry leaders.

Event Location: Vista Bank & Financial Literacy Center at 3225 MLK Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210.