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Riverside County Brings Businesses, Governments Together for Day of Matchmaking

4th Annual SoCal Business Connect Summit

Riverside, CA – Hundreds of businesses and governments from throughout Southern California will gather in Riverside on Wednesday, Nov. 7 for a day of speed dating-style meetings and seminars led by the Small Business Administration and national experts in the fields of foreign trade, manufacturing and procurement.

The fourth annual event, which has been renamed the SoCal Business Connect Summit, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center in downtown Riverside. Matchmaking appointments between vendors and large businesses and governments are filling up fast, and interested participants should register immediately. The appointments give businesses that sell everything from janitorial services to computer parts an opportunity to connect with other businesses and governments interested in their goods or services.

“This event is great for small and large businesses looking to connect to one another, learn from the experts and grow their business,” said Carrie Harmon, the commissioner for the Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade, which is hosting the event with the SBA and other partners. “The networking is phenomenal, and attendees learn how to expand into overseas markets, compete for government contracts and earn federal certifications that set them apart from other businesses.”

There are 14 seminars throughout the day on foreign trade, procurement and the Small Business Administration.

eCommerce experts will provide information on the nuances and imperatives associated with exporting in the online cross-border sales channel. State and local government officials will teach attendees how to do business with government. Small Business Administration representatives will offer tips on how to get federal certifications that can make a business more attractive to Fortune 500 companies and others. Even the Port of Los Angeles will be there to provide updates on international trade and its impact on the ports and the region.

Ninety buyers representing 50 companies or governments are scheduled to meet with businesses as part of the matchmaking. Among the buyers are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, AT&T, ESRI, March ARB, Metrolink and many more.

Procurement interests range from janitorial services to aircraft and weapons systems testing and evaluation services to professional services and everything in-between, making this a beneficial opportunity for a diverse set of businesses.

The past three summits have yielded valuable contracts and connections that keep businesses coming back.

Juan Moreno, account manager for AFE Industries in Whittier, said he left the first event in 2015 with new additions to his network along with a connection that ultimately led to a contract with a steel company that needed his printing services.

“I have definitely recommended this event to other companies in different industries so they can network as well,” Moreno said.

Registration for the event costs $25 and includes continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Businesses who sign up in advance at https://RiversideGlobal2017.eventbrite.com can also book matchmaking appointments with the buyers of their choice. Registration the day of the event is $35.

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