For the last three years, representatives from more than 30 federal government agencies have gathered for an annual Federal Executive Association exhibition. Attracting hundreds of attendees each year, the event allows government agencies to showcase how they serve the public. This year, several state agencies, including the SC Department of Commerce, will join for the first time.

Taking place at Liberty Square, 340 Concord Street in Charleston, SC, the event will kick off at 9:30 am with an address from Congressman Jim Clyburn.

The Office of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification (SMBCC, formerly OSMBA) along with the South Carolina Procurement Procedures Committee will host its annual 2018 Trade Show: Bridging Opportunities. This event is designed to connect South Carolina small and minority businesses with state procurement agents.

The purpose of the SC Launch Summit 2018 is to foster collaboration, encourage networking and promote the exchange of ideas. Attend this event on May 24, and learn from successful SC Launch client companies and industry experts; meet investors, business leaders and entrepreneurs; and connect with South Carolina's life sciences, IT and advanced manufacturing firms.

SC Commerce is partnering with the City of Aiken to host a small business forum designed to help business owners explore various resources available across the state. Topics will include business development resources, state and federal contracting opportunities and access to capital. 

The registration deadline is May 1, 2018. 

Export 101 is an introductory training, which is a first step in a series of courses on exporting that are offered to South Carolina companies throughout the year. The purpose of these is to help companies begin or expand export activities and to gain skills that will assist them in growing your international sales.

The South Carolina Salute to Small Business is the Palmetto State’s annual National Small Business Week event. Now in its 13th year, the 2018 Salute will be held Wednesday, May 2 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in downtown Columbia.

Featuring a keynote address from U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon, this year's event will also include a procurement opportunity matchmaker, exhibitor showcase, networking time and awards luncheon.

In 2017, South Korea was South Carolina's 7th-largest export destination and Japan was 6th. Recognizing this, SC Commerce is leading a multi-sector trade mission to South Korea and Japan.

Approved companies will have one-on-one meetings with prospective end-users, distributors, agents and partners that are set up by the U.S. Commercial Service. The trade mission is open to all South Carolina firms. 

SCBIO will host a half-day program March 14, 2018 -- South Carolina Life Sciences Boot Camp: Essentials of a Growing Industry – to inform and update businesses and professionals from across the state on opportunities, trends and issues facing South Carolina’s fast-growing industry segment.

To be held at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health in Columbia, the program will run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and will feature a light breakfast followed by presentations from over half a dozen noted life sciences industry leaders.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting an outreach event to educate small businesses about federal procurement opportunities with HHS and their top large business prime contractors.