By Esperanza Massana-Crane
Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission's Minority And Women-Owned Business Enterprise Division
Landing a business contract is a major accomplishment for any business owner.
Getting the opportunity to pitch their goods and services is a challenge, though, for many entrepreneurs – especially minority and women entrepreneurs. It’s even more of a challenge to have the opportunity to pitch to multiple buyers.
On the other hand, it is often difficult for companies to source the goods and services that they need to operate. These prospective buyers are searching for businesses to provide goods and services – but locating good, dependable companies that meet their needs can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) is working to help both groups – the minority and women entrepreneurs who are looking to sell and the companies looking to source goods and services. One of the ways AEDC is lending a hand is through the Annual Matchmaking Event.
Hosted by AEDC’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWOBE) Division, the Annual Matchmaking Event bridges the divide between the buyers and the sellers. This event brings public and private sector buyers and minority and women-owned business owners under one roof – and provides them with opportunities to discuss contracts, network, and learn from informative speakers.
During this one-day event, the buyers and business owners will participate in 15-minute, prearranged appointments to discuss potential contracts for services or goods. At the end of the meeting, the participating parties may decide to enter into a contract.
When registering, buyers are able to list the goods and services that they need. They are then matched with minority and women-owned businesses that offer these goods and services. At the event, the parties can meet and talk with the possibility of forming a business relationship.
Buyers and minority and women-owned businesses can potentially have multiple meetings during the event. These meetings, which would be difficult to schedule independently, make this an efficient one-stop shop for both procurement officers and business owners. In the 2022 Matchmaking Event, there were more than 200 meetings between buyers and sellers. We look forward to continuing this success in 2023.
In addition to the meetings, the Matchmaking Event also features networking time and panels featuring experts in small business finance, marketing, and other business topics.
AEDC is committed to increasing economic opportunities for Arkansans, and the Matchmaking Event plays an important role in this mission. The event makes the procurement process more efficient for public and private sector companies, making it even easier to do business in Arkansas, and it provides increased access, marketing opportunities, and resources for minority and women business owners in Arkansas.
The 2023 Annual Matchmaking Event will be held May 18 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock. Business owners who register for the event are not guaranteed a meeting during the Matchmaking Event.
Register today for the 2023 Annual Matchmaking Event by visiting arkansasedc.com/matchmaking2023.
We would like to thank our sponsors for making the Matchmaking Event possible: