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THRIVE Small Business Summit & Matchmaker  

The inaugural THRIVE Small Business Summit & Matchmaker was held in January 2024. The one-day event was designed to equip small business owners with helpful knowledge and connections to thrive in an ever-changing business environment. THRIVE attendees were provided with resources, tools, and inspiration to help them grow their businesses and connect with Chamber Impact Partners and other members through the B2C, B2B and B2E Matchmaker.

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OPEN TO SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE YOU!

Small businesses participate in the Summit to hear from experts and panelists sharing their knowledge to help small businesses grow.

All certification-eligible or certified businesses such as LGBTBE® Certified/LGBTQ+ owned, minority, women-owned, minority-owned, disabled-owned and/or Veteran-owned are invited to participate in the Matchmaker.  All businesses with diverse business certifications are welcome to participate in this connection opportunity.

Participate in one-on-one matchmaking connecting Chamber small businesses to Impact Partners, including supplier diversity and LGBTQ+ employee resource group leaders, through rounds of speed meetings.

THRIVE MATCHMAKER

Participate in one-on-one matchmaking connecting Chamber small businesses to Impact Partners, including supplier diversity and LGBTQ+ employee resource group leaders, through rounds of speed meetings.

THE THREE MATCHMAKER FORMATS

B2C

 

 

Brings together certified suppliers with local Chamber Impact Partners for procurement opportunities.

B2B

 

 

Brings together certified suppliers with other suppliers to learn about opportunities to work and partner together, perhaps on tiered contract opportunities or other types of partnerships.

B2E

 

 

Connects small business members with Chamber Impact Partner LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) leaders. This is an opportunity for LGBTQ+-owned businesses to share their products or services that support ERG Pride Month activities (and throughout the year!).

MATCHMAKER BENEFITS

  • Community Connections - Connect with fellow community members, industry leaders, employee resource groups, and potential partners who are all invested in seeing your business succeed.
  • New Market Knowledge - Discover untapped markets and gain insights into emerging opportunities. This event is your gateway to expanding your reach and connecting with prospects.
  • Business Growth - Explore potential partnerships potentially boosting your business’ bottom line.
  • Efficiency - Opportunity to meet multiple prospects in one location, saving you time and resources.
  • Brand Elevation - Showcase your products or services to a captive audience and solidify your brand.
  • Long-lasting Relationships - The connections you make at this event will extend beyond the day. Build long-term partnerships and collaborations that will continue to benefit your business.

2024 PANELISTS & MODERATORS

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Alicia Greene (she/her)
Senior Director, Programs and Stakeholder Engagement
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

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James Harris
(he/him)

Senior Director, Diversity &
Inclusion and Supplier Diversity
H-E-B

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Julie Irvin Hartman
(she/her)

Co-Founder
B2G Victory

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Lianne Lami
(she/her)

CEO & President
Bocci Engineering & Construction

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Kevin Rankin
(he/him)

VP, Small Business Financial Health &
Branch Tools Leader
Small Business Growth & Execution
Wells Fargo

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Susan Repka
(she/her)

Co-Founder
B2G Victory

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Dr. Roy Rivera
(he/him)

CEO
Elation Physical Therapy

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Miguel Ruiz
(he/him)

Team Leader, Senior Subject Matter Expert
and Senior Staff Mentor
U.S. Small Business Administration - Houston District

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Linda C. Toyota
(she/her)

Market Executive
LiftFund

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Tracy Y. Upton
(she/her)

Supply Chain Advisor | US Supplier Diversity
Shell USA, Inc.

BUYERS

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HEB-Logo-no-back
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METRO-logo
shell-logo
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Wells-Fargo-Logo-2020

RESOURCE PARTNERS

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1706024358286
METRO-logo
NGLCC-Logo-clear-back
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SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

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Matchmaker Sponsor

Wells-Fargo-Logo-2020

Host Sponsor

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LEADER SPONSOR

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SUPPORTING PARTNERS

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