LOCAL SOURCING & BUSINESS DIVERSITY COUNCIL

HOW THE COUNCIL HELPS

Assists in FACILITATING PURCHASING ARRANGEMENTS between local Lehigh Valley companies and larger buyers for products and services

Provides NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES for small businesses to learn from each other

COUNCILS & COMMITTEES

The mission of the council is to provide growth opportunities for Lehigh Valley small businesses, with an emphasis on minority, veteran, and woman-owned companies. We achieve this through the development of strategic initiatives to assist in business growth and development, education and training, networking opportunities, and driving awareness about existing companies and support services available to grow and sustain businesses.

Helps companies IDENTIFY EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

at local, state and national levels

CONNECTS BUSINESSES with such agencies as the

SBA and the Small Business Development Center at Lehigh University

PROVIDES INFORMATION

on support services, including loan programs and financial assistance

Provides resources and advice on how to obtain MINORITY, VETERAN OR WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS

Lehigh Valley Meet the Buyers ExpoThe council’s signature event, the Meet the Buyers Expo allows small businesses in the Lehigh Valley to meet face-to-face with dozens of government and private industry procurement professionals to discuss business opportunities and possible purchasing arrangements.

2158 Avenue C, Suite 200Bethlehem, PA 18017

Phone: 610-266-6775Fax: 610-266-7623

www.lehighvalley.org

©2017 Lehigh Valley Econom

ic Developm

ent Corporation. All R

ights Reserved. 01.17

*Figures from 2015 Expo

250+ ATTENDEES 70 BUYERS 40+ COMPANIES 20 SPONSORS

The Expo gives small minority-owned businesses like myself the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our services to well-known companies in the area. Getting that face-to-face interaction and the chance to set up meetings with

purchasing agents for these companies is a great opportunity for us.“

“

Murtaza Jaffer, co-owner of EBC Printing in Trexlertown

This is such a successful venue for connecting our small-business sector with larger sourcing prospects. The relationships we foster help us achieve our goal

of providing growth opportunities for local small businesses. “

“

Michelle Landis, Lehigh Valley Local Sourcing & Business Diversity Council

The Meet the Buyers Expo is the signature event of the Local Sourcing & Business Diversity Council, in coordination with the following partners: Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown, Lehigh University’s Small Business Development Center, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board, Manufacturers Resource Center, Nazareth-Bath Chamber of Commerce, and Slate Belt Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, or to volunteer your expertise, please contact LVEDC.

72% of buyers prefer to source locally, while just 10.8% prefer to source globally.Source: ThomasNet