2025 - Gather & Grow: Building Business Bottom Lines through Procurement Opportunities - Downtown 5/7 & 5/22

by: South Carolina SBDC

Join us at this two-part Gather & Grow event.  Registering automatically registers you for both events.  Both sessions will be beneficial, however, it is not required that you attend both.  

Part 1:  Wednesday, May 7

Registration 7:30AM

Session 8AM-9AM

Topic: Building Business Bottom Lines through Procurement Opportunities

Small Business is the backbone of America and to succeed, businesses need to reach out and connect with new opportunities to share their services, products and goods.  This session includes panelists from Fort Jackson, the City of Columbia, Richland County, SC DOT and Goodwill Inc., all sharing the process for how to determine the needs of their organizations and then complete the necessary steps to bid on the contracts and hopefully win the business and build their bottom lines. The panelist will share information on their organizations’ procurement processes and will be available before and after to walk people through the steps to help make their process a reality. 

Part 2:  Thursday, May 22

Registration 8:30AM

Procurement Session Sponsored by Goodwill 9AM-9:45AM

Matchmaker Event 9:45AM-Noon

Topic:  Procurement Matchmaker Event

Additionally, this Gather & Grow provides the foundation for the May 22nd Procurement Matchmaker Event, sponsored by Goodwill, which is designed to connect vendors with procurement needs with small businesses seeking potential contract opportunities to sell goods and services. This is an excellent opportunity for businesses of all sizes to participate, grow their connections and hopefully grow their business.  Prepare for a matchmaking event where you'll pitch your business directly to decision-makers. 

Chamber Partner Registration - Free

Non-Partner Registration - $15

If you are a Chamber Partner, but do not know your login, please reach out to Rebecca Spence.

If you are not a current Chamber Partner, please reach out to Amy Alimohamed to discuss the benefits of joining the Columbia Chamber.

The Columbia Chamber is proud to introduce Gather & Grow (formerly Small Business Breakout), a consolidated program designed to better serve and empower our region's businesses. By combining the strengths of the Small Business Council and Area Business Alliances, Gather & Grow offers a unified platform to foster connections, share resources, and promote growth for businesses of all sizes. 

To replace the former Small Business Breakout events, Gather & Grow will now take place monthly in the morning, providing fresh opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and learn from experts in the field. These events will rotate across different areas, ensuring accessibility for businesses throughout the region. Join us at a location closest to you!

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