You’ve got proven products and services. You are selling them locally, or maybe nationally, to a handful of customers, but you’d like to expand. You’d like to sell to federal, state, or local government agencies and/or to large corporations. But how do you get their attention? How do you get your business name and products known to the decision makers in government agencies and large corporations?
One way is through the new Business Matchmaking conferences being held in selected locations around the country. The initiative, which was originated with the SBA and is a partnership involving the SBA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and HP, matches small businesses with federal, state and local government agencies and large corporations that have actual contract opportunities for products and services. The program is expected to provide up to $1 billion in procurement contract opportunities to small businesses during the events being held in 2003.
The next regional event -- set for June 17-18 in Chicago at McCormick Place -- will provide small businesses throughout the entire Midwest the opportunity to participate. Matchmaker conferences are also planned for Birmingham, Ala., on July 31, in conjunction with the National Black Chamber of Commerce annual meeting; and in Washington, D.C., on Sept.19, which coincides with the SBA’s National Entrepreneurial Conference and Expo.
To register for the Business Matchmaking conferences go to www.businessmatchmaking.com.
“The Business Matchmaking program is the largest national initiative in American small business history to bring small businesses and public and private organizations together at the same table for the specific purpose of awarding procurement contracts,” said SBA Administrator Hector Barreto, a former small businessman and well-known champion of small business. “This is a real program with a real mission -- to give small businesses around the U.S. a chance to generate revenue by doing business with government agencies and large corporations.”
The federal government annually spends more than $200 billion for products and services, and the government's statutory goal is to have at least 23 percent of that total -- or approximately $46 billion -- go to small businesses. As a result, with procurement officials from government agencies and large corporations taking part in each event, the Business Matchmaking program offers small businesses throughout the country the opportunity to participate in ways never before possible.
In addition, because small businesses comprise 99 percent of all U.S. businesses, employ nearly 56 million people, and account for more than two-thirds of all new jobs, the matchmaking program’s success can provide an important stimulus to the U.S. economy.
According to SBA Administrator Barreto, excitement surrounding the program has been building since a pilot event held last October in Cleveland and an official kick-off event March 4-5 in Orlando. At the two-day Orlando event, almost 80 representatives from government agencies and private enterprise companies met with over 600 representatives of more than 450 small businesses for a total of nearly 2,500 interviews. Thirty-six percent of the firms participating were women-owned, and 42 percent were minority-owned businesses.
Key to the program's success is the opportunity for small business representatives to meet with buying representatives from government agencies and large corporations through pre-scheduled, individual appointments. The meetings are scheduled before each event by having suppliers (small businesses) and buyers (government agencies and corporations) complete online profiles. Based on the profiles, the best possible matches are created. In many cases, it is likely for a single small business to have numerous appointments during the course of the vent.
For participating small businesses, the cost is approximately $125 for a single attendee and $60 for each additional participant from the same small business.
A limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis to 7 (j) eligible small businesses. Potential eligibility is based on being an 8(a) certified firm, a small disadvantaged business, a business operating in an area of high unemployment or low income, or a firm owned by a low-income individual. For information, individuals can contact the U.S. Chamber, toll free, at 800-638-6582. A scholarship includes a waiver of the registration fee for one company representative. It also includes admission to a seminar held the day before the event that provides insight on how to maximize appointments with procurement officials.
In addition to the pre-set appointments, the Business Matchmaking event provides small businesses valuable insight on local financing options, how to apply for the Government Services Administration (GSA) schedule and access to technology resources and educational seminars on a variety of relevant topics, such as contracting with the federal government, access to capital, international trade, and trends in technology and marketing.