The Small Business Construction Expo takes place in Oakland on March 22.
The event at includes a day of educational panels with industry experts, a keynote address, exhibitors, breakfast and lunch, and networking opportunities.
Nataline Lomedico, president and CEO of Los Angeles-based Giroux Glass, Inc., will deliver the welcome keynote speech. Lomedico’s company, which focuses on glazing and architectural metals, has handled challenging projects including the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon.
“Attending this conference is an important and meaningful way to bring small and large construction companies together,” ENR California quotes Lomedico as saying. “Sharing best practices, learning from each other, and face-to-face contact is key. By forming relationships at events like this we are able to stay in contact and help each other navigate through the challenges of construction.”
There will be a panel discussion: “Landing Government Contracts: How to Get a Foot in the Door at Local, State and Federal Agencies,” moderated by Abbigail Brown, owner and president of Oakland-based CPM Logistics. Panelists will include representatives from the Port of Oakland, the City of San Francisco, Department of General Services, Port of Oakland, Caltrans, and Bay Area Rapid Transit, among others.
“This expo is important because it connects small businesses with contractual opportunities on construction projects,” Brown said. “It also helps to break down barriers to entry for them on these projects.
“They plan on discussing fatal flaws that they see time and time again with small contractors contributing to those barriers keeping them from successfully winning projects. Each agency on the panel has made themselves available to have open and frank dialogue with attendees interested in learning more about working with them.”
A second panel session, “Small Business Toolbox: Tips and Resources to Help Grow Your Business,” will be moderated by Angel Cardoz, director of the San Francisco Small Business Development Center.
Event hosts include the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California, CPM Logistics, and government agencies including BART, the City and County of San Francisco, the Department of General Services and the Port of Oakland.
For more information or to register, visit http://SBCX.agc-ca.org, or call AGC of California at (916) 371-2422.
