ChallengeHER is a joint initiative from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express OPEN, the small business division of the financial services company. The free Long Beach ChallengeHER event will educate attendees on growth opportunities in government contracting as well as how to participate in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program. Additionally, business owners can sign up to participate in Contract Connections – one-on-one meetings with procurement officials, government buyers and large prime contractors. A sample of confirmed participating organizations at the event include: • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs • State of California • California Department of Transportation • The Boeing Company • General Atomics Aeronautical Systems