# Event Details - **Event Name**: Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 28 Aug, 2026 at 11:00 am - **Event Description**: ?? Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo Honoring Service. Supporting Success. Join us for an inspiring outdoor community event dedicated to celebrating our nation's heroes and showcasing the businesses that move our Charlotte community forward! Organized by the VAREP Charlotte, NC Chapter, Operation Connect brings together local veteran-owned enterprises, patriotic businesses, and community supporters for an afternoon of networking, shopping, and fun. ? EVENT DETAILS ? Date: Friday, August 28, 2026 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM ? Location: Brixham Park - Ballantyne (15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277) ? Admission: FREE to the public! ? WHY ATTEND? Whether you're looking to shop local, grow your network, or show support for our military community, there is something for everyone: ? Shop Veteran-Owned & Patriotic Businesses: Discover local enterprises and champions of our military community. ? Professional Networking: Connect with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and neighbors. ? Raffles & Giveaways: Win exciting prizes throughout the event! ? Reserve your spot here: www.varep.org ? EXHIBITOR & SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES Want to showcase your business, market your services, or support our veterans? Partner with us! Presenting Sponsor ($1,500): Top billing on all ads/media, double entrance booth, 10-15 min stage time, largest logo placement. Patriot Sponsor ($1,000): Prime booth placement, high visibility logo placement, multiple emcee shout-outs. Liberty Sponsor ($500): Standard booth space, medium logo placement, group stage recognition. Exhibitor Booth ($100): Standard outdoor booth space to sell, market, and network. Raffle Sponsor ($75): On-stage drawing announcements + logo at raffle station. Community Supporter ($50): Logo/name on entrance support banner (no booth needed). Wall of Honor ($50–$100): Pay tribute in honor of your loved ones. ? Raffle Prize Donations: We are actively accepting raffle donations! Contact us to contribute. ? CONTACT INFORMATION For questions, sponsorship inquiries, or raffle donations: ? Nick Derokov ? 631-748-0083 ✉️ NickJDerokov@gmail.com ? www.varep.org Register Here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/operation-connection-a-community-salute-and-veteran-business-expo VAREP is recognized as a tax-exempt, public charity. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/pineville/operation-connect-a-community-salute-and-veteran-business-expo/200030559612350 - **Event Categories**: business, exhibitions, nonprofit, art, fine-arts, charities, health-wellness, shopping - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 9 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Pineville - **state**: NC - **country**: United States - **location**: Ballantyne Farmer's Market - **lat**: 35.05849 - **long**: -80.8552 - **full address**: Ballantyne Farmer's Market, 15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277-4648, United States, Pineville ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/8c3e0281ae7821ad871f136e6e915d549192c4c5b3ee83f40d89c9a18914b9f8-rimg-w1200-h1553-dcf8f8f8-gmir?v=1787716820 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo being held? - **A:** Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo takes place on Fri, 28 Aug, 2026 at 11:00 am to Fri, 28 Aug, 2026 at 11:00 am at Ballantyne Farmer's Market, 15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277-4648, United States, Pineville. - **Q**: Who is organizing Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo? - **A:** Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo is organized by VAREP Charlotte, NC Chapter. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Pineville, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/8c3e0281ae7821ad871f136e6e915d549192c4c5b3ee83f40d89c9a18914b9f8-rimg-w1200-h1553-dcf8f8f8-gmir?v=1787716820", "startDate": "2026-08-28", "url": "https://allevents.in/pineville/operation-connect-a-community-salute-and-veteran-business-expo/200030559612350", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Ballantyne Farmer's Market", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277-4648, United States", "addressLocality": "Pineville", "addressRegion": "NC", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "35.05849", "longitude": "-80.8552" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "?? Operation Connect: A Community Salute & Veteran Business Expo\n\nHonoring Service. Supporting Success.\n\nJoin us for an inspiring outdoor community event dedicated to celebrating our nation's heroes and showcasing the businesses that move our Charlotte community forward!\n\nOrganized by the VAREP Char", "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "VAREP Charlotte NC Chapter", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/varep-charlotte-nc-chapter/27524396", "description": "VAREP Charlotte, NC Chapter, Corona. 91 likes · 2 talking about this. Nonprofit dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy..." } ] } ] ```