Business-to-government ‘Matchmaker 2023’ will give small businesses leads on federal, state, local contracts

Businesses interested in providing products or services to federal, state, and local government agencies are invited to attend the U.S. Department of Defense Northeast Regional Matchmaker Business Training and Resource Fair Aug. 9-10 at the Mystic Marriott.

This event is open to owners of businesses large and small across the Northeast and will provide information about requirements for a broad range of government contract work. Representatives from government agencies and prime contractors who award billions of dollars in work each year will be available to answer questions.

Billed as the largest business-to-government matchmaking event in the state, Matchmaker 2023 will be especially beneficial to businesses owned by veterans, minorities, women, Native Americans, the LGBTQ community, and businesses operating in distressed communities and Historically Underutilized Business Zones, or HUBZone-certified businesses. There is a strong preference to award contracts to businesses that hold certifications. 

Those who register will be invited to schedule one-on-one, 10-minute meetings with buyers from the federal departments of Defense, Transportation, General Services Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency as well as prime contractors. Procurement representatives from state and local agencies across New England and New York also will be available for meetings.

“This event is open to all businesses and will help develop relationships with government buyers and large prime contractors,” said event organizer Marisol Herrera, State Director of CT APEX Accelerator. “APEX Accelerators serve as a resource for small businesses by supporting their ability and readiness to participate in the government procurement marketplace.”

CT APEX Accelerator was formerly known as CT PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center). Representatives of each New England state’s APEX Accelerator will be present throughout the two-day event as will New York APEX Accelerator staff members.

“We can help companies grow through government contracting, which makes this event a valuable, strategic decision for business owners,” Herrera added.

The Connecticut office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is also supporting this event, and Connecticut District Director Catherine Marx is urging small businesses to attend and learn about the opportunities available.

“The SBA is committed to opening the doors of procurement so more small businesses can grow and thrive by doing business with the federal government, the world's largest customer who buys all types of products and services - in both large and small quantities,” Marx said. “This matchmaker and resource fair is an exciting opportunity for New England small businesses to expand through government contracting and networking with federal and state agencies.”

In addition, Project Spectrum will provide cybersecurity training and information about free and low-cost resources for small to medium-sized businesses and those in the federal manufacturing supply chain.
Connecticut businesses also can learn about the seCTerRise grant program. CT APEX Accelerator is affiliated with the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer), which is the federally designated economic development agency in the region.

This event is hosted by the Department of Defense Northeast Council, APEX Accelerators, the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region, Small Business Administration, the University of Hartford Entrepreneur & Women’s Business Center, CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and the CT Department of Administrative Services.

A Resource Fair will feature tables from regional APEX Accelerators, CT DECD, Women’s Business Development Center, SBAs, universities, and other organizations offering business services.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided and will feature a networking reception on August 9.

Register Here

Event details:
What: Department of Defense Northeast Regional Matchmaker, Business Training and Resource Fair
When: Aug. 9-10
Where: Mystic Marriott
Registration information: Matchmaker 2023
Small Business Agenda