People’s Chamber urges Southern California businesses to prepare for LA 2028 contracts

The People’s Chamber of Commerce is urging small businesses across Los Angeles County and Southern California to get contract-ready now for procurement opportunities tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The group says businesses that prepare early could be better positioned for work in events, hospitality, transportation, construction, technology and other sectors as regional spending accelerates.

Why it matters: - LA 2028 could drive procurement and contracting opportunities across Southern California in industries including events, hospitality, transportation, construction, technology and professional services. - Small businesses that prepare now may have a better shot at competing for government, corporate and institutional contracts tied to the Games and the broader regional economy. - The Chamber says local participation in the spending surge should be measured by how many small businesses actually win work, not just by how much money flows into the region.

What happened: - The People’s Chamber of Commerce is urging entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County and across Southern California to prepare now for LA 2028-related business opportunities. - Sharifah Hardie, founder and national president of the People’s Chamber of Commerce, said small businesses should position themselves before specific opportunities are announced. - The Chamber is encouraging business owners to join its network to build relationships, learn procurement basics and pursue contracts together. - The Chamber directs interested business owners to join online.

The details: - Becoming contract ready can include small business and supplier certifications, vendor registrations, a professional capability statement, licenses, insurance, financial records, operational records, past performance documentation and relationships with prime contractors and procurement professionals. - Businesses also need to assess whether they can actually perform once a contract is won. - Winning a major contract can require staffing, inventory, equipment, insurance, cash flow and the ability to meet strict deadlines and performance requirements. - Hardie said the infrastructure, documentation, relationships and financial capacity need to be in place before the opportunity opens. - The Chamber says businesses should not limit their planning to the Olympics and Paralympics. - Government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, healthcare systems, corporations and major contractors buy products and services every year. - Businesses that use the next two years to strengthen operations could be better positioned for procurement opportunities after 2028 as well.

Between the lines: - The Chamber is treating LA 2028 as a deadline for business readiness, not just a one-time event. - The message suggests many small firms miss out on large contracts because they lack paperwork, relationships or operational capacity before bids even open. - The Chamber is also pushing a regional collaboration model, with chambers, agencies, corporations and prime contractors helping entrepreneurs understand how to compete. - Hardie framed the issue as access as much as opportunity, arguing that small businesses need a meaningful seat at the table when major investments land in Los Angeles.

What's next: - The Chamber is asking business owners to prepare now and join its organization for education, networking and contracting support. - It is also calling on public and private-sector groups across Southern California to increase awareness of contracting opportunities and help entrepreneurs understand procurement requirements. - As 2028 approaches, the Chamber expects economic activity around the Games to accelerate and create more openings for qualified local firms.

The bottom line: - The People’s Chamber of Commerce wants small businesses to get contract-ready now so they can compete for LA 2028 opportunities instead of watching them pass by.