Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/595878
12 University of Hartford's Entrepreneurial Center | Women's Business Center The CT Business Matchmaker, an annual event since 2010, offers an invaluable opportunity for small to large businesses committed to expanding their contracting opportunities to broaden their prospects. At the event, small businesses meet with Matchmakers (including prime contractors, municipalities, government agencies, and companies interested in increasing their supplier/subcontractor lists) to present their products and services in a series of 10-minute, one-on-one interviews. CT BUSINESS MATCHMAKER ANNUAL EVENT "Matchmaker events sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Center have resulted in new industry clients, connections, resources, and strategic alliances. At both annual events I've attended, I maximized the planning strategies and tools the center offers, making 30+ new connections. Three of them are now clients. It could take me months, a year, or even longer to meet this many of the 'right' people. Kudos to the team at the center, which supports women- owned small businesses like mine." —Heather Conley, Owner, Heather Conley Photography LLC "I have several sources who we use, have used, or are evaluating as a result of the CT Matchmaker sessions. These Matchmaker sessions have been valuable in meeting sources that we possibly would not cross paths with. I am looking forward to being up at the University of Hartford again for the next session." —Stephen Milas, Small Business Liaison Officer, Senior Buyer, Canberra "The CT Business Matchmaker 2015 event provided small businesses a great opportunity to meet and spend time with prime contractors, municipalities, and government agencies. Small businesses would have had to spend a lot of time seeking and reaching out to these contacts on their own. At this year's event, I was able to speak with a variety of organizations which I found to be very helpful in my first-year experience. The Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Hartford did an incredible job setting up and running the event. Most impressive are the pre-educational classes to educate and help participants prepare for the event and the subsequent follow-ups afterward. These groups are totally dedicated to helping small businesses in Connecticut. Many thanks to these special people." —Wynne L. Cerone, Managing Partner, Woodbury Consulting Partners, LLC "The CT Business Matchmaker has allowed us to bring viable small businesses into our diverse supplier family. The event is a must-attend —well planned, organized, and executed. The small businesses come well prepared and, as a result, I have made connections and formed relationships that will soon turn into real business." —Jay Sheldon Wesley, Head of Global Supplier Diversity and Performance, Pitney Bowes Inc. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (MDC) CONNECTICUT CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES ASSOC. FARMINGTON BANK MORGANTI THE HARTFORD VIKING CONSTRUCTION INC.