Oakland Small Business Expo and Matchmaking Fair

On behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission and Commissioner John Bohn, we are pleased to announce the California Public Utilities Commission in partnership with San Diego gas & Electric is hosting the Oakland Small Business Expo and Matchmaking Fair on Wednesday, December 1, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Oakland, California.

7 a.m - 8 a.m. on-site registration and complimentary continental breakfast will be available. Next, 8-9 a.m., the event will begin with Commissioner John Bohn of the California Public Utilities Commission giving an opening address, and then a workshop presented by the CPUC, and a panel of utility industry representatives on ''How to Do Business with the State Agencies and the Utilities''.

From 9;00-9:20 am there will be a presentation given by Commisioner Nancy Ryan on "Californina's Energy Leadership What It Really Means to Your Business"

After the presentations (9 :30 a.m.-1 p.m.), there will be a matchmaking forum where small businesses will be to learn about opportunities first hand. Small businesses will have the chance to meet one-on-one with procurement specialists from state agencies (e.g. CPUC, CalTrans) and California's major utilities, including: AT&T, Comcast, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sempra Utilities (includes San Diego Gas and Electric and Southern Gas Company), Southern California Edison, Verizon, California Water Association, and Comcast. In addition, The Supplier Clearinghouse who oversees the CPUC's women & minority business certification process will be on hand to answer questions.

We will also have three other workshops:
1) Access To Capital: How Businesses Can Access Financing (9 :30-10 :30 am)
2) How To Green Your Business-Save Money and Create Opportunity Through Green Practices(10:30-11 :30 am)
3) Social Media Marketing: How to Use Emerging Web