Los Angeles officials reminded local entrepreneurs on Monday that a new wave of contract opportunities is opening as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mayor Karen Bass used her third annual Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to outline how city, state and federal agencies will award billions of dollars in work to Southern California firms.
Summit aims to equip small businesses for LA28
“Through my Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit, we’re making sure LA’s business owners are ready to compete and win major contracts ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mayor Bass said. She highlighted an estimated $40 billion in economic opportunity that the Games will generate for the region.
The free summit, launched in 2024, provides a series of workshops, networking sessions and one‑on‑one counseling with procurement experts. Participants will learn how to register with the city’s ProcureLA program, navigate federal and state bidding portals, and meet officials from agencies such as the Department of Transportation, the California Tourism Board and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Concrete resources for local firms
Mayor Bass noted that more than $45 million in contracts have already been secured through ProcureLA for local and small businesses. The summit will expand that pipeline by offering direct access to upcoming solicitations in logistics, hospitality, tourism, transportation and event management.
“I’m hoping entrepreneurs will join me to access these critical resources, hear from industry experts and learn how they can take their business to the next level ahead of this global moment for Los Angeles,” the mayor added.
How businesses can get involved
To be considered for future contracts, firms must first register in the city’s procurement database. The mayor’s office provided a step‑by‑step guide during the summit, emphasizing the importance of certifications such as Small Business, Minority‑Owned Business and Women‑Owned Business, which can give applicants a competitive edge.
Local chambers of commerce and trade groups are also partnering with the mayor’s office to host follow‑up webinars and mentorship programs throughout 2026 and 2027. These efforts are designed to ensure that the benefits of the LA28 Games flow to the community’s smallest and most innovative enterprises.
Looking ahead
With the Games only two years away, the administration is accelerating its outreach to guarantee that Los Angeles businesses are not left out of the historic investment. Mayor Bass urged residents to spread the word, attend the upcoming workshops, and prepare proposals that showcase the city’s unique talent pool.
The summit reflects a broader city‑government strategy to use major events as catalysts for local economic growth, aligning with the administration’s commitment to family‑friendly jobs, faith‑centered community values and individual liberty through open market competition.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
