GCP, COSE and NorTech event helps entrepreneurs find opportunities with N.E. Ohio nonprofits

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cleveland, October 14, 2008 - Minority, women and small business owners and representatives of several Northeast Ohio nonprofit and public-sector organizations attended "Opportunity in Sight," a business development event hosted by the Greater Cleveland Partnership, COSE, the GCP's  small business partner, and NorTech, Northeast Ohio's technology-based economic development organization. The event, held Oct. 9 at  2020 Martini Café and Lounge  in the Flats, was designed to create win-win business relationships that will benefit both vendors and customers.

"The GCP is committed to supporting Northeast Ohio's MBEs, WBEs and SBEs and actively assisting their efforts to pursue growth and success," said Joe Roman, the GCP's president and CEO. "We think this event will keep everyone focused on a specific business goal, which is getting deals done."

The event brought together more than 100 business owners with potential nonprofit and public-sector customers and clients. Likewise, participating nonprofit and government organizations were able to connect with potential vendors who could help them diversify their supplier base and find competitive products and services to keep operating costs down. Click  here  to see photos from the event. Note: If you are a business owner who participated in the event and you secure a business opportunity as a result, please  click here  to send us an e-mail and tell us about it.

Marilyn E. Stephens, information service specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included business owners Niki Gillato of  Gypsy Beans & Baking Co. , and Manohar Daga with the accounting firm of   Dingus and Daga, Inc.  Steve Standley,  University Hospitals ' senior vice president, system services, spoke about business opportunities with UH's  Vision 2010  construction projects.

Nonprofit/public-sector participants are listed below. Click here  to download a copy of the "Opportunity in Sight" directory with business opportunities.

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Cleveland State University
COSE
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
EMH Regional Healthcare System
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Great Lakes Science Center
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Greater Cleveland RTA
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Ohio
NASA Glenn Research Center
NorTech
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
University Hospitals

The  Greater Cleveland Partnership , the primary voice for businesses in Greater Cleveland, seeks to create jobs and improve the economic vitality of the region. behalf of its more than 17,000 members, the GCP advocates with one voice; advances small business success; accelerates economic inclusion; builds a high-impact, sustainable economic development system; changes the face of Cleveland; strengthens global connections; and initiates a demand-driven talent system.  The GCP is a founder and proud supporter of the Cleveland Plus marketing campaign.

COSE , the small business division of the GCP, serves as a one-stop resource for nearly 17,000 member companies.

NorTech leads the technology agenda for a 21 county region within Northeast Ohio. Its mission is to build a vibrant and globally-competitive economy by linking and leveraging the region’s technology, entrepreneurship and innovation assets.

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