Sparking Partnerships

Nov 24, 2025 05:44PM ● By Ornella Rossi

Annual Business Resource Fair Sparks New Partnerships [2 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce staff greeted guests as they walked in for the second annual Business Resource Fair at City Hall. Photo by Rick Sloan

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – Approximately 250 business owners, entrepreneurs, residents and job seekers gathered Nov. 18 for the Second Annual Business Resource Fair, a free event hosted by the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rancho Cordova.

The fair ran from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Rancho Cordova City Hall, offering attendees access to more than 30 community partners and a wide range of business-building resources.

According to the chamber, the event was designed to help local businesses strengthen operations, make meaningful connections and access support services. Chamber officials highlighted expanded business resources, opportunities for networking and actionable solutions offered by industry experts.

Business Resource Fair attendees could also stop by the City of Rancho Cordova’s information booth. Photo by Rick Sloan

“We had a very successful event last year and we realized that we had a gem in the rough,” said Diann Rogers, president and CEO of the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce. “The whole point here is to make connections, and the chamber is the perfect vehicle to make those connections. We wanted to bring people together and have all these resources in one place for individuals to check out and see what applies to their business.”

This year’s fair included several first-time partners such as the California Department of General Services, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, Sacramento Public Agency Consortium, Child Action, Inc., Work for Warriors, Volunteers of America, NPower, Cal EPIC, 50 Corridor TMA and Sacramento Regional Transit. Returning partners included SCORE Capital Corridor, SMUD, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Sacramento County, the Rancho Cordova Police Department and representatives from federal, state and local elected offices.

Rogers said that organizers placed a particular focus on bringing in vendors that support financial resources and hiring needs.

“This event supports the growth of our small businesses,” Rogers said. “We are nothing without our small businesses. We need them to support the community, to provide resources for the people that come and work for the larger companies. The goal is to have this event every year.”

Sacramento Regional Transit (SACRT) was one of the 30-plus businesses at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Resource Fair. Photo by Rick Sloan

For some attendees, the fair offered a direct pipeline to potential employers and clients.

“I came here today to meet employers with hiring needs and also aspiring employees looking for jobs,” said Paul Hendre. “I met quite a few businesses and people and I'm looking forward to following up with them. I think events like these are important because it brings people together, people that are ready to network. The other alternative would be to go door to door, business to business, so this is a lot more efficient.”

City staff also used the event to encourage businesses to engage directly with local government.

“I work with economic development, so with businesses that locate here, we offer incentives, resources and try to help them navigate permitting processes and business licenses,” said Ashley Kobe of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department. “We are very business friendly. I like to think of myself as a translator for businesses when it comes to city processes and requirements.”