by Maria S. Salinas

Get in the Game

Over the next decade, the Los Angeles region will host international sporting and entertainment events — including the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games — resulting in significant investments in our infrastructure and a great opportunity for suppliers. This is a pivotal moment for Los Angeles to make transformational change in the economic opportunity available to the diverse small businesses that call Los Angeles home.

We are proud to launch a new initiative called Get in the Game. Alongside our partners LISC Los Angeles, Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation, and Next Street, we aim to bridge these opportunities with the diverse small business community that calls Los Angeles home.

This initiative convenes small businesses with industry leaders to foster participation in contracting opportunities.

The Get in the Game partnership will provide small businesses with technical assistance, capital funding, best-in-class sourcing practices, and a series of procurement fairs.

• Supplier Development: Cohort programs and digital curriculums to prepare small business suppliers to compete and deliver on regional procurement opportunities.
• Supplier Finance Fund: A revolving credit facility to equip financial institutions to offer supply chain finance and other innovative capital products for small business suppliers.
• Supplier Diversity: A community of practice among public and private institutions to institutionalize best-in-class supplier diversity and sourcing practices.
• Procurement Fairs: A series of procurement fairs to connect small business suppliers with public and private sector buyers, including the organizers of mega events and infrastructure projects.

It’s an exciting time in Los Angeles as preparations are underway to welcome international visitors. We are committed to joining partners to help make transformational change for our small business community.

Join our kick off procurement fair on Oct. 18 OneLA Procurement Fair: Get in the Game to meet one-on-one with buyers, forecast presentations, and network with our exhibitors. Sign up today.