Small Businesses throughout Tampa Bay should prepare to take the next step in advancing their business reach as the Host Committee of the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) prepares to greet and host dignitaries, delegates and others attending the convention. The RNC wants to ensure that Tampa’s small business community benefits from the positive economic impact of hosting such an event. As such, they have established the “Small Business Network.”

To participate in the network, the business must be located and the business owner must reside in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas or Polk Counties. The business must be certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise (SDVE) or Women or Minority Business Enterprise (W/MBE) with the Cities of Tampa or St. Petersburg or by Hillsborough or Pinellas Counties.

The Republican National Convention will convene August 27 – 30, 2012. To prepare small businesses for this opportunity, the host committee will hold the first of two information forums about the Small Business Network in January. At that time, on-line registration for local small businesses desiring to participate in the program will open.

It is anticipated that an On-line Business Directory of participating businesses will be created as a result of the Small Business Network participating businesses.

Polk County’s Small Business Development Center will stay abreast of news about the small Business Network. Business owners may also access information here.