“Matchmaker Prep: Making an Effective Pitch to Buyers” Webinar, November 2nd at Noon 

In anticipation of the Buy Local Matchmaker on November 16th, Michelle Collins from the SUNY Canton SBDC will provide information to help business participants prepare and make the most of the Matchmaker. Topics will include:

• What is a Matchmaker?
• What do buyers look for?
• Certifications & Registrations
• Planning & Preparing for the Matchmaker
• What to Expect
• Tips for Success
• How to Follow Up

The 2016 Buy Local Matchmaker will be held on Wednesday, November 16th at SUNY Canton, sponsored by Aloca and hosted by the SUNY Canton SBDC and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to match small businesses with the people who make purchasing decisions at larger industries in the region, local municipalities, area colleges and hospitals as well as state and federal agencies.

The Buy Local Matchmaker is a great opportunity for business owners to make contacts and cultivate leads. For the purchasing officers, it is a chance to see what goods and services are available to them locally. It is hoped that some purchases from out of the area will come back to local businesses.

Matchmaking is like 'speed-dating.’ Businesses sign up for 10 minute meetings with purchasing officers and have that short time to network and share marketing materials. When time is up, the business moves to the next agency.  The hope is that agencies will learn about what is available locally, and a potential match can be made between supplier and purchaser. 

 [ To register for the Matchmaker Event, click here : http://canton.edu/sbdc/matchmaker.html  ]

PRESENTER: MICHELLE COLLINS

Michelle is a Business Advisor at the SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center where she holds an Advanced Certification. She has counseled thousands of local entrepreneurs, both existing and aspiring, since joining the SBDC in 1998 and has also organized and presented numerous training events on various topics. She organizes the SBDC's Women's Business Bootcamp Luncheon twice a year and for the past two years has been in charge of the St. Lawrence County Buy Local Matchmaker.