http://www.businessmatchmaking.com/

Business Matchmaking, has announced an expanded 2010 event schedule designed to encourage more small businesses to pursue government and corporate contracts.

The non-profit program, started by the Small Business Administration and HP six years ago, has enabled over 75,000 free face-to-face meetings between entrepreneurs and buyers representing all government agencies, as well as Fortune 500 corporations. The results have been several billions of dollars in awarded contracts, with a growing percentage going to women, minority and veteran owned growing companies.

In addition to regional face-to-face selling events in Los Angeles (March 16), New York (May 12), Nashville (August 18) and San Antonio (October 13), Business Matchmaking will host training workshops designed to help start-ups become familiar with procurement opportunities and how to team with other companies in sessions in Raleigh, Kansas City and Minneapolis.

Additionally, Business Matchmaking has partnered with the California Small Business Development Centers and the Small Business Advocate in the Governor's Office to host 15 workshops focusing on new opportunities triggered by federal stimulus funding for California's projects.

Based on its success in small business regional events, Business Matchmaking has again been selected to produce the procurement portion of the national conference hosted by the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization for all federal agencies on April 21 in Washington, DC.

American Express OPEN and American Airlines have joined HP in sponsoring Business Matchmaking events by providing funding, technology and volunteers throughout the country. Business Matchmaking, a 501 (c3) foundation, also manages businessmatchmaking.com which enables small businesses to secure online training and leads between events.

For more information contact Margaret Shaw, 310-432-6357

margaret@businessmatchmaking.com