January 13 Story of the Week back  
Date of Record: January 13, 2012

2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee Announces Forum I of the Small Business Network


This summer, from August 27 through August 30, the Republican National Convention (RNC) will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, and is expected to bring an estimated $175 million in direct spending to the area. In an effort to help local businesses engage in the level of commerce generated by the RNC, the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee, Inc., a non-partisan organization, will be hosting a forum on January 19, 2012 at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, from 9 am. to noon. The purpose of the forum is to provide information to business owners about the Small Business Network created by the Host Committee and to bring together organizations participating in the convention and local businesses.


The Host Committee has announced their intent to use the RNC event as a platform to drive interest to and promote the Tampa Bay area, and in particular, small businesses. This goal is intended to encompass the region as whole and is not limited to Hillsborough County businesses only. To qualify for the Small Business Network, businesses must be certified through Pinellas County's Small Business Enterprise Program, the City of St. Petersburg, the City of Tampa, or through Hillsborough County.


Each approved business will have a link to its own website on the Small Business Network directory website, with businesses listed by product or service. The directory will be utilized by organizations in Florida and out-of-state participating both during and after the convention. Contracts will be awarded on a competitive basis.


Attendees can expect to hear an informational overview from the forum's keynote speaker, Hector V. Barreto, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The forum will also feature entrepreneurs discussing the plans of the host committee, convention-related contractors and representatives of local governments. Space is limited and the organization is currently limiting seats to one representative per business.http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/manager/admin.egov


Attendees must register by January 13, 2012. Businesses need not attend the forum in order to qualify for certification.


To register for the forum scheduled for January 19, 2012, visit the following link.

http://2012tampa.com/small-business-network/


To find out more information about certification through Pinellas County's Small Business Enterprise Program, please click on the link below:

http://www.pced.org/entrepreneurs/subpage.asp?SBEP


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