RivCo Planning 'Speed Dating-Style' Event To Bring Businesses, Governments Together

From Riverside County: Hundreds of businesses and governments from throughout Southern California will gather in Riverside on Tuesday, Aug. 1 for a day of speed dating-style meetings and 20 seminars led by the Small Business Administration and national experts in the fields of foreign trade, manufacturing and procurement.

The third annual Southern California Procurement, Trade & Manufacturing 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 unique event is a huge draw, attracting buyers and sellers from as far away as San Diego, Long Beach and other communities across our region,” said Heidi Marshall, the commissioner for the Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade, which is hosting the event with the SBA and other partners. “Not only is the networking phenomenal, but attendees will learn from experts about how to expand into overseas markets, compete for government contracts and earn federal certifications that set them apart from other businesses.”

There are 20 seminars throughout the day on foreign trade, manufacturing, procurement and the Small Business Administration.

Cybersecurity experts will provide pointers on how to protect against new and innovative attackers. 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 Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will be there to provide updates on international trade and its impact on the ports and the region.

More than 100 buyers representing more than 50 companies or governments are scheduled to meet with businesses as part of the matchmaking. Among the buyers are Boeing, Northrup Grumman, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southern California Edison, the Ontario International Airport Authority, the City of Los Angeles, and many more.

Procurement interests range from janitorial services to automotive parts manufacturing to security system maintenance and everything between, making this a beneficial opportunity for a diverse set of businesses.

The past two 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,” said Moreno, who will be at Tuesday’s summit.

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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