SAVE the DATE
September 25, 2014 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Disneyland Hotel , 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
Call: 949-222-2291
Email: officemanager@abaoc.org
The Procurement Conference & Exporting (PROCON) event is a trade expo where corporate buyers and small business owners showcase their products and services, leveraging the large scale PROCON exposure to the buying and selling public. Similarly to the Business Matchmaking Workshops (BWM), PROCON links procurement and economic development managers from major companies to promote minority diversity programs. These companies include Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the US Small Business Administration (Santa Ana District Office), Walt Disney Company, Disneyland Resort, Port of Los Angeles, Southern California Edison, Union Bank, US Bank, Verizon, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, United Parcel Service (UPS), Southern California Gas Company, and other corporations) with minority owned SME’s in Orange County.
The objective is to create a platform to discuss procurement opportunities, not only locally, but also internationally. Representatives from corporate partners will go over such topics as export/import trends, nuts and bolts of doing business in Asia and success stories amongst others. This conference is mutually beneficial for both small businesses and corporations. Previous attendees have realized the value of partnership between suppliers and the diverse business community as it contributes to customer loyalty, stimulates economic development, and taps into the innovation and entrepreneurship that many large firms need in a competitive marketplace.
PROCON is a popular and well attended event that has attracted several major companies, government agencies, suppliers, professionals, and individual attendees since its inception. Last year’s PROCON was held in October at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, and it attracted more 300 attendees. We expect more attendees during this year’s PROCON event, which will be held on September 25, 2014 at a convenient location to be announced in the near future.
This event is also well received and praised by major firms, including US Bank. According to Robin Billups, Supplier Diversity Manager, Vice President for US Bank and major sponsor for the “2010 PROCON and Asian Global Sourcing Conference” said, “This is a great opportunity for small businesses to meet with sourcing agents to find out more about their companies, contracting opportunities, and how to work with them. I am hoping that these workshops will impart key learning’s for both suppliers and sourcing agents. By bringing the two groups together we hope to determine supplier contracting needs and find a business match with the sourcing agents.”
Lily Otieno, ABAOC Board of Director and President of Infinity Business Solutions indicated, “Most business owners always wonder how to do business with either the government of private sector. This conference is designed to offer the learning but at the same time an opportunity to meet the buyers at the conference. It is a great time for small businesses to learn and capture lucrative contracts set asides for small businesses. We look forward to connecting small business owners to big opportunities.”
A great opportunity for small businesses to network and learn how to capture lucrative contracts set aside by large corporations or government agencies! A unique experience for both exhibitors and attendees that includes a festive atmosphere, which features more than 100 specially selected exhibitors and an exciting line-up of special events, speakers and networking opportunities that promise to inspire you!