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27th Annual Small Business Conference and Expo - Digital Program

Connecting Dreams to Resources


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Keynote Speaker Presenter Spotlight Sponsors Exhibitors Exhibitor Map

Agenda

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
Check-in

12: p.m. to 1 p.m. 
Welcome and lunch (registration required)

1 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
Opening remarks
Stormie Forte, City of Raleigh Council Member

Clinton L. Robinson Jr., chief of staff, Wake County Public School System

1:10 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.
Keynote speaker
Maria Garza, president and CEO of The G3 Lifestyle, Inc.

1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Contractor spotlight

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. 
Breakout sessions: AI For Business and Doing Business with COR and WCPSS

3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (registration not required/open to public)

Keynote Speaker

Maria Garza

Maria Garza
President and CEO, The G3 Lifestyle, Inc.

Maria is an executive, entrepreneur, public speaker, and advocate known for her leadership in education, workforce development, and the Hispanic community. She currently serves as President and CEO of The G3 Lifestyle, Inc., helping aspiring CEOs develop a millionaire mindset and achieve success.

As former CEO of ECMHSP, Maria led major organizational growth and launched innovative STEAM programs serving nearly 3,000 children across 12 states. She also co-founded The Mexican American Council and the first Mariachi Music Conservatory east of the Mississippi, expanding access to culture and arts for underserved youth.

Maria has received numerous national and international honors, including induction into the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, the Ohtli Award from the Mexican government, and recognition from NBC-Telemundo and Univision. Above all, she values her role as wife, mother, and grandmother.

Presenter

Rolanda Hernandez

Rolonda Hernandez 
Chapter Chair, SCORE Raleigh;
Founder, Advance Wake

Rolonda serves as Chapter Chair of SCORE Raleigh, leading one of the region's most active small business mentorship networks. Over 20 years, she has personally supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs across North Carolina and internationally, including programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.

A two-time globally recognized leader, named Top 100 Global Leader in Real Estate and Construction and Brainz 500 Global Award recipient, Rolonda brings enterprise-level systems experience into practical frameworks for founders at every stage. She is the founder of Advance Wake, an AI Business Solutions platform and Entrepreneurial Support Connector for North Carolina.

Spotlight

Kristin Calton

City of Raleigh Contractor Spotlight

Kristin Calton
LMJ Pavement Marking

Founded in 2011 with a used paint machine, an old pickup truck, and trailer, LMJ Pavement Marking began at Kristin’s kitchen table with a vision and a strong work ethic.  Over the past 15 years, LMJ has grown from painting parking lots to becoming a full-service intersection specialist, expanding into thermoplastic roadway markings, traffic signal installation, and inductive loop saw cutting.

Today, LMJ operates a fleet of 35 trucks and employs 60 dedicated team members who share a commitment to quality workmanship and customer service.

Kristin and the LMJ team have proudly served the City of Raleigh on numerous projects over the past 15 years and look forward to continuing that partnership for years to come.  Through every challenge and milestone, LMJ has remained committed to delivering excellent service and outstanding project results. 

Leslie McClure

Wake County Public School System Contractor Spotlight

Lesle McClure
McClure Builders

More than three decades ago, driven by knowledge and ambition, we embarked on a journey to "build it all." Our endeavors spanned a diverse range of projects, guided by a blend of creativity and expertise, consistently yielding results that were not just superior but innovative, delivered punctually, and within budget. The pursuit of excellence became our singular path. Clients recognized the enduring value embedded in every project we undertook, appreciating our adaptable approach and unwavering commitment to service. Our philosophy of “Building Your Peace of Mind” is our approach in each project. We create cost effective solutions and time-saving strategies for every client.

Today, diversity remains ingrained in our ethos. Over the past 30 years, our portfolio has encompassed commercial ventures for corporations across the Triangle region.

Our public project clients include numerous state, county, and city agencies; NCDOT, DOA, DPI, DAC, DPS, DNCR, RDU Airport Authority, State Hwy Patrol, Wake County GSA, City of Raleigh, City of Durham, WCPSS, WTCC, NCSU, and UNC Chapel Hill.

Sponsors

Premier Sponsors

Logos

Gold Sponsors

Logos

Exhibitors

Booth #Organization / Company
1COR Business Engagment & Opportunities Program (BEOP)
2COR Dpt. of Economic and Social Advancement
3COR Small Business Development
4COR Procurement
5COR Engineering Services-IFS
6COR Transit
7COR Construction Management-PS/SP
8COR Raleigh Water
9COR Stormwater
10COR Community Engagement
11COR Parks & Recreation
12COR Police Youth Services
13Town of Cary
14Durham County
15City of Durham
16Wake County Government
17NC State University Design and Construction
18Balfour Beatty
19Brasfield & Gorrie
20Holt Brothers Construction
21Barnhill Building Group
22North Carolina Education Lottery
23HORUS
24Monteith Construction Corp.
25DPR Construction
26Black Chamber of Raleigh
27Bordeaux Construction Company, Inc.
28Right Build International, Inc.
29Metcon, Inc
30Clancy & Theys Construction
31Barr & Barr
32T. A. Loving Company
33New Atlantic Contracting, Inc.
34Anew U Counseling Services PLLC
35D.A. Everett Construction Group
36LeChase Construction Services
37CATE Services & Construction
38W.M. Jordan Company
39NC DOT Purchasing Unit
40NC DOT Office of Economic Opportunity & Compliance
41NC HUB
42Carolina AAPI Business Aliances
43HCAC
44UMCNC
45Triangle Native American Society
46Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh
47Capital Area Workforce Development
48WCPSS Custodial Services
49WCPSS Purchasing
50WCPSS Supplier Engagement
51WakeTech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center
52Women's Business Center of NC
53EDPNC Small Business Advisors
54El Centro Hispano
55NC Employee Ownership Center
56NC Society of Hispanic Professionals
57Operation HOPE
58Prospera
59SBTDC
60SCORE Raleigh
61Carolina Small Business
62ICAP -Institute Capital
63The Wright Village
64Veterans Business Outreach Center
65Secretary of State
66RDU
67Radio One
68Springboard Promotions

Exhibitor Map

seating chart
Department:
Economic and Social Advancement

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