HP Joins with Business Matchmaking to Launch 2011 Nationwide Events for America’s Small Businesses

PALO ALTO, Calif., HP today announced it is participating with Business Matchmaking Inc., a not-for-profit corporation supporting procurement opportunities for small businesses, to launch the 2011 Business Matchmaking event series.

Now in its eighth consecutive year, Business Matchmaking provides opportunities for small businesses to secure contracts from federal, state and local government agencies, as well as many Fortune 500 companies at key events and through an online network. In addition, the program offers education, training, counseling and resources.

Through regional events held across the country, and in online sessions, Business Matchmaking has enabled more than 77,000 small business sales appointments resulting in more than $8 billion in contracts granted. All events are free to both participating small businesses and representative buyers.

“HP is dedicated to enabling small businesses beyond technology with alliances, webinars, social forums, blogs and training to help them manage and grow their business,” said Michael Nordstrom, manager, Small and Medium Business Marketing – Americas, HP. “As a flagship sponsor for the past eight years, we continue to support Business Matchmaking because it successfully provides small businesses new opportunities to help them thrive.”

This year HP has invited select, local channel partners to participate in Business Matchmaking and provide onsite education and counseling for small businesses about their technology decisions.

“HP-sponsored Business Matchmaking events and workshops with HP experts have provided me with knowledge to better run my business,” said Michael Nicholas, president of NIMS Services, Inc., a provider of petroleum products and services based in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has lauded HP’s efforts in Business Matchmaking, twice naming it the national leader in technology for entrepreneurship.

“HP was the first private sector corporation to sponsor Business Matchmaking, which has been described by SBA officials as their most successful procurement outreach program,” said Ann Marshall, vice president and event producer, Business Matchmaking Inc. “HP has been the clear leader in creating opportunities for women-, minority- and veteran-owned companies in every industry.”

The Business Matchmaking event series is sponsored by HP in cooperation with other corporations, including American Airlines, American Express OPEN, Dunn & Bradstreet and Lockheed Martin, as well as several nonprofit organizations, including SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, The Latino Coalition and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

Following is a list of scheduled Business Matchmaking regional events for 2011:

— Feb. 24: Miami

— April 14: Seattle

— June 23: Houston

— Aug. 11: San Diego

— Aug. 25: Boston

— Oct. 6: Phoenix

Complete details on Business Matchmaking are available at www.businessmatchmaking.com. More information on HP’s activities for small businesses is available via the @HP_SmallBiz Twitter channel, Small Biz Nation LinkedIn group, HP for Small Business Facebook page and at 367 Addison Avenue.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.