Small businesses hope for big contracts during RNC
Fox News 13
Published: January 19, 2012
SAFETY HARBOR – Dorene Collier is seeing green along with the red white and blue of the upcoming Republican National Convention. She’s the president of her own “Event Show Production” company in Tampa, providing entertainment for corporate parties and special events.
“Very excited about the RNC since it’s in our backyard,” Collier said.
She knows the event represents a huge pie, and she’d like to get a slice of it. That’s why Collier was among 500 other small business owners gathered in Safety Harbor for an information session, to get the 411 on working with the RNC.
“We all wanted to see where we could fit in that week that the RNC is here,” she said.
“Our mission in addition to hosting convention is to create jobs, promote economy, make sure local business get most out of the convention,” said Ken Jones, 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee President.
Businesses that want to be a part of the action first need to register with the host committee’s small business network online.
Thursday’s meeting was just an early first step but down the road officials say contracts will be available.
“You have to have a product or service that is looking to be purchased or utilized by the convention, or by a business involved with the convention, but we want to set up that process to get them plugged in,” Jones said.
“A lot of people look at a convention like this and think there’s no way we can get involved, it is too big, we’re too small, we want to dispel that myth,” Jones told FOX 13.
For more information: http://2012tampa.com/small-business-network/
