WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 170 small businesses secured direct connections with major industrial buyers during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo, marking a strong start for a new initiative aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains.
Held March 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, the first-of-its-kind event brought together more than 675 small business suppliers and 35 large buyers, including Boeing, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Toyota, and federal agencies. The Expo, hosted in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers, created a high-energy, opportunity-driven environment focused on building relationships and expanding American manufacturing capacity.
Participants engaged in both exhibit-style networking and structured one-on-one matchmaking sessions, allowing small businesses to directly connect with procurement teams from major companies. The result was more than 170 successful matches, giving suppliers immediate opportunities to provide goods and services to larger organizations.
Feedback from attendees reflected a highly positive experience, with many highlighting the value of direct access to buyers and the efficiency of the matchmaking format. Several participants called for the event to be held more frequently, citing its effectiveness in fostering meaningful business connections and expanding opportunities.
“Thanks to President Trump’s fair trade and tax cuts agenda, large companies are seeking to reshore their supply chains for the first time in decades, which means more local jobs and more national production capacity,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Small businesses represent 98% of all U.S. manufacturers – and the SBA will continue to work proactively across the country to ensure they play a leading role in rebuilding American industry.”
Thank You to Partners and Participants
Organizers credited the success of the Expo to the collaboration between the U.S. Small Business Administration, the National Association of Manufacturers, participating federal agencies, and the dozens of large corporations and hundreds of small business suppliers who took part. Special recognition was also given to NASA and other agency partners that helped facilitate connections and provide resources to attendees.
With strong participation, positive feedback, and hundreds of new business connections formed, SBA officials indicated the Supplier Matchmaking Expo could expand into a recurring event, with future opportunities aimed at further strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chain partnerships.
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