LOS ANGELES, CA – The U.S. Small Business Administration, Veteran Business Outreach Center and the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network cordially invite you to attend this expo for veteran small business owners. The event will have an expo area with dozens of resource providers, prime contractors and veteran business owner organizations. In addition, the event will have four separate panels on Supplier Diversity, Access to Capital, Government Contracting, Certifications and Business Resource Providers. Register at www.vboc-ca.org or by calling 916-393-1690.

WHAT: “Veteran Small Business Expo 2012”

WHEN: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 am)

WHERE: Long Beach City College, Building T-1200, 4901 Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90808.

Free parking is available in the Veterans Stadium parking lot off of Clark Avenue.

HOSTS: Los Angeles SBA District Office, Veteran Business Outreach Center and the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network

RSVP: Space is limited. Register by visiting www.vboc-ca.org or calling at 916-393-1690.

TOPICS COVERED:

Access to Capital – Many entrepreneurs need financial resources to start or expand their small business.

· SBA’s financing is primarily delivered through programs via our network of lenders: SBA 7(a) Loans (working capital), SBA 504 Loans (owner-occupied real estate), CAPLines (lines of credit), Export Working Capital Loans and Microloans ($500 - $50,000).

Overview of Technical Assistance – Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

· SBA Resource Partners meet the needs of small businesses and promote economic development in local communities by helping to create and retain jobs. They assist with development of business plans, provide manufacturing, financial packaging, contracting and international trade assistance; provide no-cost one-to-one consulting to aspiring and existing business owners; provide low-cost training and workshops. Based on client needs, SBDCs tailor their services to meet the evolving needs of the local small business community.

Government Contracting & Subcontracting – In Fiscal Year 2010, the Federal Government bought almost $500 Billion in goods and services.

· Ranging from paper clips and janitorial services to space shuttles and advanced scientific research – and pretty much everything in between. Small businesses received nearly $100 Billion in contract awards. Recent laws such as the Small Business Jobs Act and the Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program will help put even more of these dollars into the hands of small businesses, helping them grow, drive innovation and create jobs.

Supplier Diversity – how to get on large companies lists of vendors and suppliers

· Hear from Supplier Clearinghouse, PGE, Verizon and Southern California Edison on contracting opportunities, how they select their vendors and what they look for in suppliers.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Welcome Remarks, Color Guard and Opening Remarks

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Government Contracting Panel

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Supplier Diversity Panel

11:30 – 12:00 p.m. – DGS-DVBE Certification

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch – Larry Broughton

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Lender Panel

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Small Business Resource Panel

All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.
Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance.