Join us for VetsFest 2024, a livestream concert and online auction benefiting veteran small business training, happening on November 16 from 4 PM to 10 PM. This exciting event will feature live music, military transition success stories, and an inside look at our nonprofit programs that help veterans and their families launch successful businesses. We will be coming off the momentum of a week of classes for National Veterans Small Business Week with our annual free training series, VetBizWeek.

Virtual tickets are free, and you can join from anywhere to watch the 10-camera broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter(x), Instagram and right here. Book your virtual ticket to get your Official VetsFest Toolkit Sponsored by Arena Timepieces with special gifts and offers from our sponsors, to be delivered by email before and during the concert.

The event will be hosted by beloved morning radio personality Sandy McIlree, host of The Sandy Show on iHeartRadio. Our auction items, going live soon, include exciting prizes like sports memorabilia, travel packages, affordable family activities, and even an acoustic guitar with Taylor Swift's autograph.

One special highlight: Purple Bee will be cutting an original live-to-vinyl album for each of our Main Stage headliners. You’ll have the chance to win one of only two vinyl copies through a raffle - more details coming soon.

IN PERSON VIP TICKETS

For those seeking a one-of-a-kind experience, VIP in-person tickets are available for an all-access pass to the live event at Purple Bee Studios near Lake Travis, Austin. This exclusive experience includes live music across two stages—the Main Stage at Purple Bee, inside the studio where the broadcast will be managed, and the Iron Wolf Acoustic Stage with intimate outdoor performances on the covered outdoor lounge.

Free adult beverages will be provided by Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery and Austin Beerworks, and amazing fresh food available for purchase from Granny’s Tacos on-site to satisfy your quest for flavor. Please note, the event is 21+ after dark and not well suited for small children.

ABOUT TRANSITION SKILLS TRAINING

Every day in America, about 1400 people retire from military service and begin a new life, with their families, as civilians. At Transitions Skills Training, we provide job skills, entrepreneurial training and access to other critical supports to help these families adjust to their new way of living. It is not an easy thing to shift from military service into a regular life, but we are working to make it easier and more fulfilling for as many as we can, every day.

WE WANT TO TRAIN 5000 VETS in 2025
To reach this ambitious goal, we need to increase our operating budget by $50,000. Your donation can make a tremendous difference in helping us reach more veterans and to positively impact the lives of many deserving military families.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

20+ veterans commit suicide every day in America. Here's a little known fact - Transition Stress is the #1 challenge veterans and their families deal with as they make the shift to civilian life. It is the real culprit behind so many common struggles for veterans and their families. There is so much training when someone joins the military, but when it's time to leave service, there is very little training provided for those next critical steps after service. By supporting Transition Skills Training, you are helping veterans and their families learn how to prepare for and manage those challenges.

We provide skills training, job readiness and entrepreneurial classes, planning tools and access to other critical services so these families can avoid some of the challenges often associated with transition; like underemployment, financial struggle, relationship issues, isolation, addiction, and depression. Managing daily life while dealing with any combination of these common stressors can be debilitating. This is why we have large numbers of veterans experiencing homelessness. This is at the root of our unacceptable veteran suicide rate. We know these are solvable problems. They start small, but quickly grow out of control without access to training, support or guidance.

THREE PILLARS OF SUCCESS
Our free training curriculum and support programs focus on three key pillars that make up a simple formula for successful transition - a sense of purpose, real connections and a place to call home.

We are probably best known for our entrepreneurial training. But all of our programs focus on the three pillars - we help veterans decide whether they want to pursue employment, education or entrepreneurship. We help them make connections with their peers who share common interests, like music, cars, sports, etc. And we help make sure they have tools and information in order to decide what's next for their own path forward, on their own terms.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on the lives of these deserving individuals. Together, we can create a brighter future for veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Julie and CJ niehoff

With heartfelt gratitude,
Julie & CJ Niehoff, TST Co-Founders

Along with heartfelt thanks for our amazing team - Thank you to Calen, Ellie, Kate and Melinda for your daily support of these programs and to our training team, you help so many people! Especially to Vicky, Maria, Joana, Chassidy, Kate and Sloan.

None of us do this alone. Thank you to our partners, supporters, friends and family!!!

Presented by Transition Skills Training, the event is supported by our amazing partners: Purple Bee Studios, Texas Veterans Commission, Carry The Load, UberEats, Arena Timepieces, Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery, Austin Beerworks, Distance Learning Media and Skills After Service. We also want to thank Justin Rennis at DSC Consulting and Kelly Friedan with LuxGive.

Visit VetsFest.org for more details!

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