Small business owners, entrepreneurs and others who would like to take part in the National Small Business Week celebration this month at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s SBA Expo ‘05 can now register online to attend the event, the SBA said.

The annual celebration honoring the National Small Business Person of the Year will take place in Washington, D.C., April 26-28, at the Hilton Washington Hotel. It will showcase Small Business Persons of the Year winners from each state, and feature a special awards ceremony for Government Procurement winners, Women in Business and the SBA’s Hall of Fame recognizing successful companies that started with SBA assistance.

Business owners, business organizations and other individuals can register for SBA Expo ‘05 events online at www.sba.gov/expo. Additional information is available on the SBA’s conference Web site, and will be updated regularly with new event information.

This year’s Business Matchmaking will be held a full-day at the start of the expo, as well as an additional half-day. The matchmaking will pair small businesses or “sellers” with government or corporate executives or “buyers” to make on-site contracting deals.

To register for SBA Expo ‘05 and for additional information, visit online at www.sba.gov/expo.