Welcome to Salute To Small Business! South Carolina's Sixth Annual Salute to Small Business Event to Be Held in Columbia May 12th, 2010 Click Here to Register Now The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Coalition for Small Business & Entrepreneurship made up of nine government and non-profit organizations, and the U.S. Small Business Administration are joining together to present the sixth annual Salute to Small Business Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Workshops on state and federal procurement, marketing, and small business development along with exhibits showcasing small businesses and business resources, will be followed by the U.S. Small Business Administration's annual South Carolina Small Business Luncheon. The event is tentatively scheduled from 8:30AM to 2PM and is open to the public. In addition to workshops, private "matchmaking" appointments are available between government and large contract buyers with small businesses.

About the Coalition

The Coalition, comprising not-for-profit organizations, as well as state and federal agencies, is designed to support entrepreneurs, small business start-ups, and existing businesses, including those in rural South Carolina and woman- or minority-owned firms. The Coalition provides small businesses with a group of services designed to increase their competitiveness in the global market. In addition, the Coalition is designed to increase wealth and job creation across the state. With the support of Governor Mark Sanford and the state legislature, Coalition members combine efforts to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state.

Since 2004, the Salute to Small Business event has been anticipated by small business owners who come together to learn during the workshop series, network with other business owners throughout the state, and talk with their legislators. The Salute event was created by the SC Coalition for Small Business & Entrepreneurship, initially a handful of non-profit organizations, state and federal government agencies that provide small business services. The Coalition has grown to include many other agencies and organizations, and for the past three years, the SC Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Coalition to expand the annual Salute to Small Business event.

In recent years, the US Small Business Administration holds its annual South Carolina awards ceremony in conjunction with the Salute to Small Business, awarding the state's outstanding entrepreneurs who go on to compete in regional and national SBA competitions.

Coalition Members

ECI - Find New Markets
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
SC Department of Commerce
SC Launch!
SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP)
SC Small Business Development Center
SC Women's Business Center
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Coalition Partners