Exhibits • Speakers • Community
SOUTH CAROLINAVETERANS EXPO
Welcome to the South Carolina Veterans Expo
The South Carolina Veterans Expo is a free community event created to honor and support veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, reservists, and military families across our state.
Spend the day connecting with valuable resources, exhibitors, speakers, community partners, food vendors, giveaways, entertainment, and the featured SC250 Revolutionary War historic exhibit.
We are proud to bring together organizations and neighbors who share one mission: to recognize the service of our military community and help connect them with meaningful support.
We look forward to welcoming you May 9, 2026.
Moore Building • South Carolina State Fairgrounds • Columbia, SC
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WACH Coverage
Free Admission
40+ Exhibitors
Speakers & Panels
SC250 Exhibit
What to expect
Built for Connection, Discovery, and Community.
A visitor-facing event experience centered on veterans, families, organizations, education, services, food, and shared support across the day.
Free to attend
Visitors can stop in, explore, and connect throughout the day.
40+ exhibitors
Meet organizations, agencies, businesses, and community resources serving veterans and families.
Guest speakers & panels
Hear from keynote speakers and panelists across financial, health, legal, insurance, workforce, and education topics.
SC250 exhibit, food vendors & giveaways
Plan time for the featured exhibit, prize drawings, door prizes, and food vendors.
Sponsor support by tier
Sponsors Committed to Our Veteran Community
We are proud to recognize the community partners whose generosity supports those who have served.
Agenda
Opening Ceremony, Speakers, Panels, Prize Drawings, and More.
The event day schedule includes opening moments, keynote programming, panel discussions, and prize drawings throughout the afternoon.
11:00 AM
Event Start
Opening of the SC250 exhibit.
11:30 AM
Presentation of Colors, National Anthem, Reservist Jump Team
(weather permitting)
11:45 AM
Welcome Message from Presenting Sponsor
Michael Jeffcoat, The Jeffcoat Firm
12:00 PM
Prize Drawing
Prize drawing.
12:00 PM
Keynote Speaker
Kevin A. Shwedo, Former Deputy Commanding Officer of Fort Jackson
Kevin A. Shwedo serves as Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and is a retired U.S. Army leader with 32 years of service, including as Deputy Commanding Officer at Fort Jackson. He also served as South Carolina's Disaster Recovery Coordinator and has been recognized with the Order of the Palmetto and induction into the South Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
12:30 PM
Panel Discussion - Everyday Resources for SC Veterans
Panel participants: The Jeffcoat Firm, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, Medical University of South Carolina, The Big Red Barn, and Window World.
1:15 PM
Message from Lt. Governor
Pamela Evette serves as South Carolina's 93rd Lieutenant Governor and was the first female Republican elected to the office. A successful entrepreneur and former CEO, she built her company into an Inc. 5000 honoree before entering public service. She has supported veterans and military families by joining efforts to expand in-state tuition access for veterans and their dependents using GI Bill benefits in South Carolina. She also keynoted the S.C. Department of Veterans' Affairs' inaugural Veteran Entrepreneurship Forum, supporting veteran-owned businesses and transitioning service members.
1:45 PM
Prize Drawing
Prize drawing.
2:00 PM
Panel Discussion - Workforce Development & Education
Panel participants: SC Army National Guard, South University, SC WORKS (Department of Employment & Workforce), Dominion Energy, and SC Department of Veterans Affairs.
3:00 PM
Final Prize Drawing
Last prize announcement of the day.
5:00 PM
Event Conclusion
Expo closes.
Featured exhibit
SC250 Is Part of the Event Day Experience.
The expo includes access to the SC250 Revolutionary War Historic Exhibit beginning when the event opens at 11:00 AM. Visitors can plan time for both the exhibit and the broader expo schedule.
Explore exhibitors and community connections
Organizations, Businesses, and Food Vendors on Site.
Veteran & Community Organizations
American Legion Post 6
Believers Today
Camp For Heroes
Midlands Veteran Engagement Council
Columbia VA Fisher House
Disabled American Veterans: Spartan Pledge
Military Women's Memorial
South Carolina Combat Veterans Group
South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs
The Big Red Barn
DAV Woodrow Wilson Chapter 4
Public Service, Employment, Education & Transit
City of Columbia Police Department
South Carolina Army National Guard
South Carolina State Guard - Eighth Troop Engineers Command
South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250)
South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce (SC WORKS)
Veterans Upward Bound
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
The COMET
Dominion Energy
MIDAS
SAGE Truck Driving Schools
South University
Training Concepts
Blanchard Machinery
Health, Home & Business Services
The Jeffcoat Firm
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Federal Employee Program
MUSC Health
Dryspace Crawlspace Solutions
Resource Financial
Window World
Three Oaks Hospice
homeRN
Heartfelt Home Care
Comfort Keepers
Integrity Home Care
Senior Helpers
LRADAC
Magnolia Roofing
Palmetto Bath
Blake's Hats
Premiere Roofing
ProCore Pest Control
ReCoat Revolution
Rent Luxury Vans
Guthrie's Chicken
Veterans Fence
Willie Jewell's Old School BBQ
Safe Pass
Plan your visit
What Visitors Need to Know Before May 9.
Event-day essentials for visitors, families, exhibitors, and community partners.
Location
Moore Building
South Carolina State Fairgrounds
Columbia, South Carolina
Hours
Saturday, May 9, 2026
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission
Free admission for visitors.
Parking
$5 parking fee at the fairgrounds.
Veteran stories
WACH FOX Veteran Coverage
Read recent stories and interviews highlighting veterans and community partners.
- WACH FOX recognizes veterans with the SC Army National Guard
- Veterans embark on 100-mile hike to bring hope, support to those suffering from PTSD
- WACH FOX recognizes veterans from the Big Red Barn Retreat
- WACH FOX recognizes veterans with the SC Army National Guard
- WACH FOX recognizes the work of the SC Department of Veterans' Affairs
- WACH FOX recognizes Army vet Daniel Navarro & BCBS of SC as an expo sponsor
- WACH FOX recognizes Vietnam veteran Commander Tommy Olds
- WACH FOX highlights SC Veteran of the Year Alfonso J. Boyd
- WACH FOX to host veterans expo May 9 at State Fairgrounds
- 100K new veterans sign up for VA health care amid 'landmark improvements'
- The Big Red Barn Retreat highlights its thriving Warrior PATHH program for veterans
- Vietnam War Veterans Day: Soldier shares his story so others can find the help they need
Contact
Need Information on Sponsorship or Exhibiting?
Use the contact details below to request sponsorship or exhibitor information.
Event materials
Use this PDF for sharing or printing expo event details.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Contact
Email us to request sponsorship opportunities, booth options, and partnership details.
- Include your organization name and best contact info.
- Tell us whether you are interested in sponsorship, exhibitor space, or both.
- Please include any deadlines or event-specific questions.