Make Business Connections at Metro Expo: May 1 trade show offers links to procurement managers, small business certification, workshops, networking

April 16, 2008; 04:27 AM

Sacramento - Small business can connect to big revenue at the annual Metro Expo trade show and collaboration conference, May 1, set for the Sacramento Convention Center.

The Sacramento Metro Chamber’s vendor fair is one of five collaboration conferences established by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as a new way to link small business with contracting opportunities and certification information. Opening ceremonies will include Former U.S. Treasurer and current Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency Rosario Marin and state Director of the Department of General Services Will Bush.

The trade show this year will feature the opportunity to meet with procurement managers of large organizations and to become certified as a small business with government agencies. More than 100 tabletop exhibitors will be on hand. A special showcase will enable nonprofit organizations to display their programs and activities to attendees.

“The Metro Expo is a power-packed event. In a few hours, business owners and managers can meet with potential clients, get certified as a small business, pick up the latest in business intelligence and then relax by networking with some of the region’s leading businesses,” said SMUD’s John DiStasio, who is the Metro Chamber vice chair of Economic Development.

Educational components of Metro Expo include workshops from the Metro Chamber’s Small Business Builder series, a demonstration of the business retention and expansion tool called Metro Pulse, training on how to do business with regional agencies, and a technology workshop especially for nonprofit organizations that will demonstrate best tools and practices.

The event will be held 1-7 p.m.: trade show 1-7 p.m., educational sessions 1-4 p.m., networking reception 5-7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for Metro Chamber members and $50 for nonmembers. Reception only: $15/$25. Tabletop exhibits are $399 for members and $499 for nonmembers. Register online at the Metro Expo website.