News release

Southeastern Regional Business Matchmaking Nov. 16, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE-Counselors to America's Small Business, and HP will host the Southeastern Regional Business Matchmaking event at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Nov. 16.  Some 850 small business owners will attend face-to-face with 120 buying representatives from federal, state and local government agencies and major corporations throughout the country.

Since its inception in 2003, Business Matchmaking has – through regional events and through its post-Katrina special initiative – generated more than 45,000 one-to-one appointments resulting in more than $735 million in contracting opportunities for small businesses.

“The SBA Business Matchmaking Initiative has been a tremendous success over the past three years, and it continues to grow,” said SBA Director of Business Matchmaking David Wm. Loines.  “There is a strong demand for these events throughout the country.  We owe a special thanks to our procurement representatives from federal and local government agencies and major corporations who contribute their time and make these contracting opportunities possible.” 

Small businesses attending the Southeastern Florida Business Matchmaking event will have access to:

• Individual business counseling and guidance provided by the SBA, SCORE, Small Business Development Centers and other SBA resource partners;
• Virtual Business Matchmaking workshop, an online tutorial to prepare for Business Matchmaking and procurement opportunities;
• Face-to-face meetings with procurement representatives of federal, state and local government agencies and major corporations;
• A special introductory training session with presenters from the public and private sector; and
• Networking with local small business resources to gain information on topics such as access to capital, SBA loans, insurance, federal qualification requirements, women and small disadvantaged business tools and certification. 

“SCORE proudly supports this vital initiative to help small businesses reach new corporate and government markets,” said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. “SCORE provides expert business advice to clients through face-to-face and online Business Matchmaking events. SCORE will continue to provide this vital service to America's entrepreneurs.”

“The entrepreneurial spirit seen in the Business Matchmaking attendees reminds one of HP’s own small business beginnings,” said John Dayan, vice president of marketing and business development – Americas, Personal Systems Group, HP. “HP is proud to be one of the largest procurers of goods and services at these events, helping small businesses to grow and realize their full potential.” Complete details on Business Matchmaking and the National Business Matchmaking Online Network, may be found at http://www.businessmatchmaking.com/.

About SBA

SBA, established in 1953, provides financial, technical, management and government assistance to help small businesses start, grow and succeed. With a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business loans and disaster loans worth almost $80 billion, SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses. For more information on how the SBA can help entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov.

About HP

HP is a global technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2006, HP revenue totaled $90.0 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE-Counselors to America's Small Business has assisted more than 7.2 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small business. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Or, visit SCORE on the Web at http://www.score.org/.

Disclaimer: SBA's participation in this Cosponsorship is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs, services and Cosponsored Activities are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. The SCORE Association is funded by the SBA (Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-06-S-0001). Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested, at least two weeks in advance. Contact: information@businessmatchmaking.com. Cosponsorship Authorization Number: 06-6100-04.