Obama Cabinet Member Promotes Exporting Opportunities for Los Angeles Entrepreneurs During National Small Business Week

SBA Trade Town Hall Discussion Moderated by Pulitzer Prize Journalist Michael Hiltzik of the LA Times

News provided by

U.S. Small Business Administration

Apr 22, 2015, 03:59 ET

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the second day of National Small Business Week, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet will discuss global trade opportunities for small business exporters in Los Angeles and around the country.  Administrator Contreras-Sweet will keynote the 89th Annual World Trade Week Kick-Off  followed by a Trade Town Hall at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion moderated by Pulitzer Prize Journalist Michael Hiltzik of the LA Times.

Each year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. This year National Small Business Week will be recognized from May 4-8 with national events planned in Miami/Boca Raton, Los Angeles, San Antonio, New York and Washington, D.C.

SBA is working to improve small business exporters' access to the 95% of consumers who live abroad through a variety of different programs and services. SBA supports small businesses seeking to export through no-cost counseling via a vast network of 68 district offices, 900 small business development centers, nearly 100 women business centers, and 15 Veterans' business opportunity centers. Through its flagship 7(a) and 504 loan programs, as well as trade specific products, small businesses can have access to the capital essential to their operations and expansion. The SBA also funds and coordinates the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grants, which provides funding to state governments for express purpose of facilitating small business international commerce.

The public is invited to the Trade Town Hall at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. To attend the free event register at: http://nsbwlosangeles.eventbrite.com .

Attendees will hear from experienced small business professional on relevant trends of the industry. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from keynote speaker SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet on how they can benefit from trade.

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Administrator Contreras-Sweet was the first Latina to hold a state cabinet post in California. As Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, she managed 13 departments, including Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Financial Institutions. She was a founding director of The California Endowment, a multi-billion dollar philanthropic health foundation.

Trade Town Hall
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (PDT)

Location:
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - Salon A
135 North Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Schedule of Events

  • 11:30 a.m. - Guests arrive and networking
  • 12:00 p.m. - Program begins and opening remarks from SBA Administrator and Chase
  • 12:10 p.m. - Panel discussion and audience Q+A
  • 1:30 p.m.   - Guests depart

Events throughout the week will be live-streamed on SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Make sure to check in during the event for live social media engagement, using the hashtag #DreamSmallBiz. For more information on the national events please visit: www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.

Small Business Week 2015 sponsors include: Chase, Microsoft, Colonial Life, Office Depot, yp, ADP, Visa, PayPal, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Facebook, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, CT Corporation, Sam's Club, Como, Indeed, Manta, Marriott, Raytheon.

Cosponsorship Authorization # SBW 2015. SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA/SCORE programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.  Contact: [email protected]. SCORE is partially funded by SBA Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-14-S-0001.

Release Number: 15-30

Contact: Carol Wilkerson, 202-205-8520
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.sba.gov

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