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Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit Features Federal and State Matchmaking Opportunities

SB Informer
Friday, August 25, 2006; 02:40 AM

The Hispanic Business Alliance (HBA) has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Department of Management and Budget (MDMB) to present small business owners with federal and state contract and capital opportunities at the Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit on Thursday, September 7 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. The SBA Business Matchmaking Program will be available from 9 a.m. to noon and businesses must register in advance to participate.

The matchmaking events provide a special opportunity for small businesses to present product and service solutions to buyers at the national and state levels through prescheduled one-on-one appointments with procurement managers. The event is NOT an opportunity to trade business cards, as is the case with traditional trade shows. Instead it is a REAL chance for small businesses to meet with public and private organizations for procurement opportunities. Through these matchmaking events, it is anticipated that small businesses will compete for millions of dollars in contracts from the private and public sectors.

"This is the first time the Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit will host programs provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Michigan Department of Management and Budget," said Frederick Feliciano, President and Chairman of the Board for the Hispanic Business Alliance. "We're very pleased to partner with both organizations to bring this opportunity for real business growth to the Hispanic business community."

Conrad Valle, SBA Assistant District Director in Michigan, worked with the HBA to bring the Business Matchmaker Program to this year's Expo. Mr. Valle said of the program, "The Business Matchmaking Program is all about providing access to buyers by small businesses. Joining with the HBA is a natural part of the program's intent and we look forward to adding a number of Hispanic owned businesses to the already 40,000 contacts we've enabled since the program began."

This year also marks the first year the Michigan Department of Management and Budget has partnered with the Expo. In addition to providing matchmaking opportunities for small businesses, the MDMB will also conduct courses offering information to participants on how to efficiently and successfully get involved in state contracting.

The 2006 Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit is scheduled for September 6-7. Attendance is expected to exceed 1,500. Participants can meet with an anticipated 200 exhibitors and attend workshops sponsored in part by National City Bank.

For more information on the Expo, visit www.hbaexpo.org. Business owners interested in registering for matchmaking and other opportunities should call (248) 347-3659.

About the HBA
The Hispanic Business Alliance was founded in 1978 as an advocacy organization to promote, develop and advance Hispanic businesses and individuals in the Detroit Metropolitan area and throughout the State of Michigan. The HBA represents the interest of its membership in local, state and national affairs.

About the Small Business Administration
SBA, established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business loans and disaster loans worth more than $59 billion, SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses. Last year, SBA and its resource partners offered management and technical assistance to more than 2.6 million clients. SBA also plays a major role in the government's disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans to both homeowners and businesses. America's 25 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private workforce, generate more than half the nation's gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.

About the Business Matchmaking Program
Business Matchmaking is presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE, Hewlett Packard and other private sector companies. Its purpose is to match small businesses with government agencies, large business prime contractors and major corporations that have contract opportunities for products and services offered by small, growing companies and creating relationships for future contracts.

The program is in its fourth year and has received numerous accolades from small business participants and participating government and corporate procurement organizations. Since its inception, Business Matchmaking has matched small business sellers with procurement representative buyers in nearly 40,000 appointments resulting in more than $32 Million in contracts.