City of Charleston Small Business Opportunity Expo 2023

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Charleston, S.C.–The city of Charleston will host its Small Business Opportunity Expo 2023 on March 31 at the Gaillard Center (95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401). The expo will begin at 9 a.m. with Early Bird Workshops, followed by the opening of the Exhibitor Hall at 10 a.m. Additional workshops and programming will last through an evening reception at 5 p.m. Registration is required for this free event.

The Expo will present Lowcountry small business owners with learning, networking and contract procurement opportunities with more than 40 onsite organizations and municipal partners. Free workshops on marketing, access to capital, legal basics and more, as well as presentations by successful business owners, government agencies and municipal partners will be available to attendees.

“Too often you hear of exceptional small businesses who, without access to the proper resources, are sadly forced to close their doors,” said Ruth Jordan, minority business enterprise manager for the city of Charleston. “We are excited to aid owners in establishing routes to success by directly connecting them to those key partnerships, resources and knowledge all in one convenient location.”

This year’s exhibitors include S.C. State Port Authority, Charleston International Airport, Charleston Housing Authority, South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, Financial Institutions and Charleston and Berkeley counties, among other organizations

There will be breakout sessions such as “Chats to Contracts,” which will cover the basics of identifying contracting opportunities and how to navigate them effectively; “Small Business: Legal Basics” and a session specifically addressing Latinx businesses called “Minding Your Business: Legal Basics for Latinx Businesses.” Both legal basics workshops will address registering businesses, obtaining necessary permits and licenses and understanding tax obligations.

Registration is now open at www.accelevents.com/e/smallbizexpo for this free event. For more information, please contact program coordinator Noelle Hisnanick-Murphy at murphyn@charleston-sc.gov or (843) 513-8698.