Connecting Small Businesses and Local Agencies

Registration for PUBLIC AGENCIES & JURISDICTIONS ONLY participating in the High Desert Small Business Vendor Fair. If you are a small buisness located in the High Desert, please register for the Vendor Fair here.

Join fellow staff from public agencies and neighboring jurisdictions in an initiative designed to strengthen connections between local governments and the small business community.

The program is delivered through a partnership between the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) and the Inland Empire Regional Leadership Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at California State University, San Bernardino to help local small businesses gain a better understanding of the public procurement process while providing agencies an opportunity to engage directly with potential vendors.

This event is designed for representatives from public agencies, including:

• Procurement and purchasing professionals
• Contract and compliance administrators
• Economic development staff
• Public Works representatives
• Department staff involved in purchasing, contracting, or vendor outreach

Participating agencies will have the opportunity to:

• Showcase their procurement process and vendor registration requirements
• Share information about upcoming contracting opportunities
• Answer questions from current and prospective vendors
• Provide guidance on supplier readiness and doing business with your agency
• Build relationships with local small businesses and diverse suppliers
• Support a stronger, more informed regional vendor network

Early engagement helps businesses better prepare to compete for public contracts while helping agencies connect with qualified local suppliers before procurement opportunities are released.

By participating, your agency can increase awareness of contracting opportunities, encourage stronger small business participation, and contribute to a more transparent, accessible, and competitive procurement environment throughout the Inland Empire.

We look forward to partnering with you to strengthen regional procurement connections and support economic opportunity across our communities!

For more information, contact: [email protected].