• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Thanks to a free summit offered for the first time by the Port of Long Beach, small business owners interested in contracting opportunities will be able to have direct access to a wide range of industry buyers and public agencies all under one roof.
The Port will host its inaugural Small Business Summit on Oct. 8 at the Westin Long Beach, where hundreds of entrepreneurs are expected to gather for an event dedicated to small businesses interested in connecting with government and industry buyers, exploring resources and preparing for government contracting opportunities.
The free daylong summit will give small business owners unique access to more than 30 industry buyers on exhibit, Port divisions, city departments, Long Beach-based public agencies, technical assistance organizations, regional chambers of commerce and business associations.
"Small businesses fuel innovation, create jobs, help build resilient communities and play a critical role in the future success of the Port of Long Beach," said Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "As we build the Port of the Future™ and advance our 2050 vision of doubling our annual cargo volumes to 20 million container units, we know that our success will depend on a strong and connected ecosystem of partners."
The Port of Long Beach continues to demonstrate its commitment to the small business community. In the last five years, about $291 million of the Port's contract funding has been invested in small businesses. In 2025 alone, $54.4 million was paid to small business vendors, accounting for about 44.6% of vendors paid by the Port last year.
"This summit is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what the Port of Long Beach has to offer small businesses and network with like-minded entrepreneurs," said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. "Small businesses are crucial to strengthening the Long Beach economy and the Port's competitiveness as a seaport."
The Port recently announced the inaugural summit in conjunction with the official launch of Port Partners, a new web portal designed to centralize business resources, guidance and opportunities.
The Small Business Summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 8 at The Westin Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach 90802. The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required to attend.
To register for the event: polb.com/smallbusinesssummit
The Port of Long Beach is building the Port of the Future™, guided by its bold new 2050 vision and a plan to double annual container volumes to 20 million units by 2050. By strategically modernizing the Port's infrastructure with $3.3 billion in capital investments over the next decade and developing digital systems to dramatically enhance efficiency and visibility, the Port is also becoming the world's first zero-emissions port. Today the Port moves cargo valued at $300 billion a year and generates 2.7 million jobs across the U.S., as it continues to lead the world on sustainability programs and plans to double those benefits by doubling volume. As one of only 18 commercial strategic seaports in the U.S. with a duty to support force deployment during national defense emergencies, a community partner that offers $3 million per year in sponsorships for local nonprofits and a major catalyst for workforce development creating opportunities for students far and wide, the Port is well-positioned for even higher achievements. After all, industry leaders named Long Beach "The Best West Coast Seaport in North America" for an eighth consecutive year in 2026. The Port of Long Beach. Always open. Always moving.
