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NJBIA’s Innovation Zone was packed with small business owners on Aug. 17 for a presentation on tips for obtaining government procurement contracts to expand your business.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners packed NJBIA’s Trenton headquarters on Thursday night for the “How to Expand Your Business through Government Procurement” workshop, hosted by NJBIA in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

Designed for small minority-owned and women-owned businesses, the educational event provided more than 50 attendees advice on what is needed to complete certificates required to do business with various government agencies. Experts from county, state and the federal government also outlined the free or low-cost services available to help navigate the complicated public procurement process.

The expert panelists included: Anup Kapur, executive director, TCNJ Procurement Services; Jennifer Krottinger, business opportunity specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration; Raul Mercado, director of NJIT Procurement Technical Assistance Center;  and Anthony Carabelli, Jr., business advocate at the Mercer County Office of Economic Growth & Sustainability.  Each panelist explained the procurement process and requirements within their organizations.

A lively Q & A in NJBIA’s Innovation Zone followed, as business owners asked the experts about which types of certifications would best position their companies for future growth. The discussion also focused on best practices for making a small business ready to take on procurement opportunities from the government and where to look for those opportunities.

Wayne Staub, NJBIA’s chief business relations officer, said the informative program was part of NJBIA’s commitment to deliver value, essential information, and services to the business community.

“By partnering with great organizations, such as the SBDC at TCNJ, and putting together expert panelists like we did at this event, we are helping small businesses grow and succeed,” Staub said. “NJBIA’s mission is to champion a competitive business climate and we do that by facilitating important partnerships with business, government and academia.”

NJBIA is the largest and most influential statewide business organization in the country.