U.S. Conference Of Mayors Small Business Program, Partner Americaª Formally Initiated
Partner Americaª participates in first two small business events

May 15, 2000

On April 25, the City of Atlanta and Mayor Bill Campbell hosted the first US Conference of Mayors Partner Americaª small business conference in conjunction with the 3rd Annual One-Stop-Capital Shop (AOSC) Small Business Expo at the Atlanta Civic Center.

Since opening its doors for business Atlanta's One Stop Capital Shop has served more than 22,000 clients and helped small businesses build or expand in historically neglected areas. This annual AOSC event was created to help small businesses grow and prosper by providing free access to necessary business information, technical assistance, government and financial resources. At last year's event Mayor Bill Campbell addressed the importance of small business in the community, "the hundreds of small neighborhood businesses that provide a vast array of convenient and friendly services to Atlanta residents [such as] the neighborhood store is a component of a successful community. Money spent there is money spent in the community - an important cycle of revitalization."

The event featured remarks on the Mayor's behalf by his Deputy Chief of Staff Greg Pridgeon, who commended the Conference for announcing its innovative small business program, Partner Americaª. George A. Cloutier, Chairman and CEO, American Management Services, was invited to speak about the Conference's exciting new small business initiative, Partner Americaª and began by asking the audience how many of them wanted to make money. Cloutier explained, "If a business owner is committed to making their business successful and realizing increased profits, Partner Americaª is an excellent resourceÉour role is to help businesses achieve all the profits they deserve and take advantage of the billions of dollars of federal resources earmarked for small business."

Over 1500 Atlanta small business leaders and entrepreneurs visited the conference. Information about federal, state, local and private sector resources and programs was available and specialists were on hand to answer questions.

Denver, CO - USCM President and Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb hosted the US Department of Energy's First Annual Small Business Conference, "Partnering for Fuel Energy Innovations," and proclaimed April 25-27, 2000, "US Department of Energy and Prime Contractors' Small Business Conference Days."

Conference highlights included small business awards presented by Secretary of Energy Richardson, remarks by the Small Business Administration's Administrator Aida Alvarez, information about conducting business with the Department and its Laboratories and extensive exhibits and information.

The conference offered workshops for small business owners, one-on-one consulting, exhibits, and mentor-protŽgŽ sessions, one of the events included on the "Partnerships for Profit 2000" seven city tour the Conference is cosponsoring with SBA and Treasury. The two day conference event brought together facility representatives from the Department of Energy, National Laboratory and small businesses to discuss opportunities in the industries of science and technology, environmental quality and energy resources, forecast contracting, technology transfer and collaborative research opportunities.  

Return to Previous Page.