Southwestern College is hosting its first-ever Small Business Fair this Friday to help San Diegoans looking to grow an existing business or jumpstart a startup idea.
The free event will feature panels on contracting with government agencies and how to work with community lenders, and will also provide opportunities to network with small business leaders in San Diego.
The fair will be held at Southwest College’s Performing Arts Center at 900 Otay Lakes Rd from 8.30am to 12.30pm. in Chula Vista. Light refreshments will be served and free parking is available nearby.
Daniel Fitzgerald, regional director of the Network of Small Business Development Centers, said if any small business owner wants to learn about government contracts and how to fund the work, they can learn how to do both at this event. Even if signing big contracts isn’t an entrepreneur’s top priority, he said the expo will help them network and find other available business help.
“No matter what stage their business is in, they can get the help they need,” he said. “And … (they can) see that there’s a lot of free small business support out there.”
While the Small Business Development Center hosts events on loans, contracts and assistance throughout the year, Fitzgerald said it’s a unique one-stop shop where business owners can get information in one day.
Guest speakers from the San Diego Unified School District, San Diego Gas & Electric, Customs and Border Protection, Southwest Community College District, and San Diego County will discuss procurement of government contracts.
A panel discussion on lending and obtaining financial assistance will feature a number of Southern California banks as well as speakers from the Women’s Business Center, Small Business Development Center, Small Business Administration and Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
To register for the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-expo-tickets-465143164727