Cherokee 411: Engage Expo Draws Cherokee Small Businesses, Highlights AI Growth

By Cara Cowan Watts, Cherokee 411

CATOOSA, Okla. Cherokee Nation citizens who own or operate small businesses turned out Wednesday for the annual Cherokee Nation Engage Expo at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa. Attendance was steady, but many vendor tables remained open. That has been a familiar pattern for at least ten years, according to longtime participants.

No attendees whom this correspondent spoke with identified as UKB or EBCI citizens. Photos from the event show several booths and company representatives, including at least two Muscogee Creek Nation citizens who were participating as business owners or representatives.

The expo, hosted by Cherokee Nation Commerce Services, is designed to connect TERO certified firms, area small businesses and entrepreneurs with agencies and lenders that support economic growth. Federal and state partners such as the Small Business Administration and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center were on site. Several banks also staffed booths to meet owners and build new lending relationships.

New this year were at least two vendors promoting artificial intelligence products and services. Their presence reflected a growing push to integrate AI into small business operations throughout the region.

The event featured workshops, keynotes and a vendor fair that highlighted both Cherokee owned companies and resource partners. The Engage Expo ran from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, Cherokee Nation Commerce Services can be reached at 918 772 4144 or innovation-hub@cherokee.org.