Small businesses invited to SBA matchmaker

SBA and SCORE Buffalo Niagara annual procurement conference on May 10

The U.S. Small Business Administration is inviting area small business owners to participate in the 2017 SBA business matchmaker on Wednesday, May 10, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Cheektowaga.

SBA Buffalo District Director Franklin J. Sciortino said this year's annual matchmaker offers small business owners the chance to discuss potential contracting opportunities with representatives from colleges and universities, large corporations and federal, state and local agencies.

"We are proud to see you this event has grown into the premier SBA contracting event in the northeast, with over 50 participating buyers and 250 small business owners," he said.

On the day of the event, small businesses will schedule individual appointments with participating buyers at 7 a.m. Prior to the event, registered small businesses are provided with a list of potential matchmakers and the products and services they are interested in purchasing.

In order to participate, small business owners must register online at Small Business registration. Small businesses may send more than one representative at a cost of $35 per person or $40 at the door. Space is limited and online registration will close on May 9.

During the event, SBA's resource partner SCORE Buffalo Niagara is hosting a free learning workshop on "Selling to the Government" from 9-10 a.m. The same session will be repeated from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Registration is not required, but is recommended.

The SBA was created in 1953 and, since Jan. 13, 2012, has served as a cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of this nation. For more information, visit www.sba.gov.