More than 500 business leaders, small business owners and transportation officials turned out for the OCTA Business Expo on Oct. 23 at the Disneyland Hotel for a full day of learning about the competitive world of contract bids while networking with key southern California agencies and firms.
OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson, also the Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, welcomed attendees and stressed the importance of public agencies working with the private sector to successfully deliver transportation projects.
Every year, OCTA spends approximately half a billion dollars purchasing goods and services from local businesses with funding from Measure M, Orange County’s voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, as well as state and federal sources. Contract services range from architectural and engineering to office supplies.
Five breakout sessions focused on topics such as contracting with OCTA, equipping businesses with tools needed to grow, partnering with successful contractors, marketing strategies to advance businesses, and detailing OCTA’s upcoming transit and technology projects.
Between sessions, more than 100 exhibitors from construction and engineering firms, communications consulting firms, and cleaning companies provided information about their companies.
Kish Rajan, director for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, delivered the keynote address, discussing the economic climate and the importance of keeping companies in California. Wing Lam, co-founder and owner of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, discussed the importance of building a business around the needs of customers.
A first at this year’s event was a mobile app packed with useful information about the speakers, the conference agenda, and links to presentations.
