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2nd Annual Business Matchmaker Event

Creating Opportunities, Connecting Resources & Contracting Diversity

Published on February 23, 2021

The University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network will host its 2nd Annual Houston Business Matchmaker event on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This event is targeting qualified vendors looking to provide goods and services that will meet the purchasing needs of buyers of all business types (small to large businesses, government agencies, academic institutions and more). Suppliers will be matched to buyers based on supplier experience, industry experience/NAICS codes and pertinent certifications. Suppliers must have been in business for at least two (2) years to qualify for possible matches. Matches are not guaranteed.

During pre-scheduled, one-on-one, 15 minute sessions, small businesses will have the chance to discuss how they can meet the needs of the participating buyers by providing detailed information of their services and capabilities. This event will match companies based on buyer requirements and supplier capabilities to ensure quality meetings.

Buyers and agencies include Shell Oil Company, Boeing, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, NASA, BMC Software Inc., Hewlett Packard, Valor Healthcare Inc., UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil Global Services Company and many more.

“We are proud to present the 2nd Annual Houston Business Matchmaker event, creating connections and building relationships for contracting opportunities,” said UH Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Executive Director Steve Lawrence. “We recognize that meetings with government purchasing officers and large corporations can be difficult to obtain, especially for small businesses, so this event is a great place to gain some exposure – and experience.”

All meetings will take place on a customized virtual platform. Webinars will be streamed throughout the event and facilitated on ZOOM. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend the following business breakout sessions: Making Better Decisions Using Analytics, Connect with Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely, Aligning Your Marketing Strategy to How Customers Buy, SBA Disaster Loans and Your Business, Federal Tax Updates for 2020, and Multiply your Marketing Power with Business Relationships.

Prior to March 5th, attendees will be able to view three recorded webinars, which will help them prep for the meetings: How to Prepare a Capability Statement and Market to Government Agencies, Pricing Successful Proposals for Government Contracts, How to Use Contract Opportunities on Beta.SAM.Gov to Locate Federal Government opportunities.

• Welcome and Opening Remarks: 8:45 a.m. to 9: 00 a.m.
• Matchmaking Meetings: 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Webinars: 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Matchmaking Meetings: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Webinars: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Matchmaking Meetings: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Webinars: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Matchmaking Meetings: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Webinars: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Matchmaking Meetings: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Webinars: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Closing Remarks: 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Registration is required at the 2nd Annual Houston Business Matchmaker. The SBDC will host this event in partnership with Houston’s Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Houston Business Journal.