Business Matchmaking

 

 

Business Matchmaking will be offered as a value-added opportunity to meet with buyers in special, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with participating buyers during the conference. This portion of the event is limited in availability and is offered to small business participants registered for the overall conference. Business Matchmaking "matches" small company "sellers" with participating "buyers" represented by government agencies and large business Prime Contractors. These buyers and sellers will convene for a series of one-on-one meetings that will occur throughout the event in a special matchmaking meeting room.

 

If you are interested in scheduling a ten minute appointment(s) for this event, you must register your business and complete an online profile by 5:00pm (PST) on April 3, 2017 to be eligible. The matchmaking link will be emailed to you after a successful event registration. No onsite matchmaking appointments can be made on the day of the event. Business Matchmaking appointments will be sent out after April 7, 2017. All meetings will be pre-scheduled. Please note meetings are scheduled based on a direct match between the supplier capabilities and the buyer’s needs; consequently, vendors are not guaranteed an appointment.

 

How Does Matchmaking Work? How Do I Participate?

You are able to access your schedule at any time by going to http://www.connectionsrevolution.com/mm_sites/8a2017# and following the steps below.

 

1. Visit http://www.connectionsrevolution.com/mm_sites/8a2017#

2. Log in using the username and password you used to create your profile.

3. Click on “Dashboard” located at the top of your screen and then click “My Schedule.”  From the drop down menu, select “7th Annual SBA Southern California 8(a) & Small Business Conference”

4. Your schedule will be located underneath the event information.

 

Each matchmaking meeting is approximately 10 minutes long.  IMPORTANT: If you miss your scheduled time, you will NOT be able to reschedule or make up for the missed meeting.  WBEC-West’s Matchmaker system matches buyers’ needs with suppliers’ services/products to schedule appointments.

 

Your 10 minute appointment(s) will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. 

 

Requests for additional meetings will not be accommodated. Business Matchmaking meetings are truly strategic and we hope you see the benefit of only presenting to representatives who are currently sourcing for your product/service.

 

IMPORTANT: The 8(a) & Small Business Conference will provide many opportunities to network and build relationships with government agencies, utility companies, and other business resources. Furthermore, you will have the chance to network with other businesses which may lead to new business prospects. The event will provide you with valuable information and resources that will help you take your business to the next level.  Make sure you do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity! 

 

 Matchmaking Meeting Tips:

 

• BE PREPARED! Advanced preparation is the KEY to success.

• Be concise. You have a limited amount of time to make an impact and start to develop a relationship.

• Do your research on the companies you have been selected for and the companies you would like to meet with. How do you fit in their Supply Chain?

• Register on their supplier diversity portals, if available.

• Create a targeted capability statement for each corporation you are meeting with.

• How can you help these corporations add value to their bottom line, reduce cost, become more efficient, or solve a problem?

• Business Matchmaking meetings are designed to create new relationships - very seldom does one gain a contract during the matchmaking meetings, but you should use this time to begin the relationship-building process.

• Use this time to get to know the company representative.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Matchmaking

 

1. How do you match buyers and sellers?  Utilizing The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), small businesses are able to highlight their products and services. By entering keywords into our system, you will be provided matching NAICS codes. The Matchmaking system then uses the codes as the basis of determining the buying organizations these small businesses appropriately match with in order to set appointments

 

2. How Long Are the Matchmaking Appointments?  Appointments are in 10-minute increments with a two-minute break in between each appointment. There are five appointments per hour and the first appointment begins at 9:00 a.m.  The last appointment of the day will occur at 2:45 p.m.

 

3. How many appointments will I receive? The total number of appointments will be based on how well your firm matches up to the product and service needs of the participating Business representatives. Keep in mind: the more complete your seller profile, the higher the likelihood of making good matches.

 

4. Can I register for matchmaking onsite?  Due to the preparation that will go into the individual attendance and participation in the Business Matchmaking program, onsite matchmaking registrations will not be accepted.

 

5. Will small businesses be awarded contracts during Business Matchmaking?  Business Matchmaking provides unique opportunities for small businesses to meet with buyers who are motivated to award contracts and sub-contracts to smaller firms. While the program doesn't guarantee contracts, simply because of the nature of the normal bidding process between buyers and suppliers, it does create opportunities for small businesses to hold personal, one-on-one meetings with potential clients that would have taken weeks or months - if ever - to research and schedule on their own.