The 15th Annual Central Oregon Business Expo is at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Thursday from 1p.m. until 5 p.m.

Karen Sande with the Redmond Chamber of Commerce says the event kicks off with a luncheon at noon.  This year's keynote speaker is Becky Johnson, the Vice President of Oregon State University - Cascades Campus.

"What she's going to talk about is what the university is going to give back to Central Oregon; how it's going to help the local businesses and help the consumers in Central Oregon. And they're also going to be talking about the economy, educational needs that they'll need to have for the region. And it's just going to be a great presentation. And I think it's going to be really important for everybody. a 4-year college is a big thing."

Sande says the event is a collaborative effort between all Central Oregon chambers - and so there will be a good variety of businesses represented.

Besides the business booths; there will be marketing workshops and prizes to win.