Organizers expect 200 at matchmaker business event

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Oct. 18--BY JERRY SIEBENMARK The Wichita Eagle

Organizers of an event that aims to match small businesses with contracting opportunities expect to attract 200 or more attendees.

The 2011 Kansas Business Matchmaker, sponsored by the Kansas Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Administration, will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wichita State University's Hughes Metropolitan Complex, at 29th Street North and Oliver.

Wayne Bell, district director for the SBA's Wichita District Office, said the event will include representatives of local companies looking to contract with small business as well as local, state and federal government contracting officials.

"It's probably going to shake out with 30 buying representatives," Bell said Monday.

Private-sector representatives from companies such as Boeing, Cargill Meat Solutions, Hawker Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems are expected to be there, he said, as will local, state and federal contracting officers.

In the case of local aircraft companies, Bell said they won't just be there looking to do business with small manufacturers. They'll also be matched with service firms, such as staffing agencies and information technology firms.

Potential buyers and contractors will be given 10 minutes to meet with each other before moving on to meet with other businesses and buyers in a sort of speed-dating format, Bell said.

There also will be breakout sessions during the day with experts providing small-business owners information on topics such as growing a small business through exporting, financing a small business and contracting with the federal government.

The keynote speaker will be Patricia Brown Dixon, SBA's Region 7 administrator.

Co-sponsors include the Kansas Department of Commerce, city of Wichita, Kansas World Trade Center and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

"It's really a good, collaborative effort from organizations in the area that have an interest in assisting small business," Bell said.

Cost to attend is $50 in advance and $70 at the door. Bell said there is still time for businesses to register to attend the event.

More information and registration are available at kansasbizmatch.com.

Reach Jerry Siebenmark at 316-268-6576 or [email protected].

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