FEBRUARY 13 - 15, 2023

HYATT REGENCY NEW ORLEANS

2023 National Small Business Conference is Sold Out!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Matchmaking will be on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 1:30pm - 5:00pm and Wednesday, February 15, 2023 
from 2:00pm - 4:30pm.
 

Buyers (Government Agencies and Large Primes) will host 15-minute one-on-one meetings with Suppliers (Small Businesses). All Contract Connections meetings are pre-assigned appointments.

Contract Connections will be facilitated by the National 8(a) Association. All Contract Connections communications will be sent from matchmaking@national8aassociation.org so please add to your contact list to avoid emails going to junk folder.

Any questions related to matchmaking can be sent to matchmaking@national8aassociation.org. For inquiries on-site, please visit the Contract Connections Information Desk. 

REGISTERING FOR CONTRACT CONNECTIONS (MATCHMAKING)

◆   When completing your conference registration, you will be asked, “Will you be participating in Business-to-Business Matchmaking?” To indicate you’re interested in participating in matchmaking, select “Yes” and complete the additional prompted questions for matchmaking. Select “Buyer” if you are a federal agency or large prime and “Supplier” if you are a small business.

◆   If you previously submitted your registration and would like to change your matchmaking interest status or any of your matchmaking information, please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org.
◆   Suppliers registering for the conference after January 14, 2023 can email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org prior to the conference or visit the Matchmaking Info Desk while at the conference to check if there are any available appointments.

YOUR MEETINGS

◆   Buyers & Suppliers will be pre-matched and assigned meetings based on the information provided for your matchmaking profile.
◆   If your company’s capabilities align with any of the Buyers and there is an available appointment, a copy of your company’s meeting schedule will be emailed the week prior to the conference.
      ◆   Please add matchmaking@national8aassociation.org to your contact list to ensure you receive our emails.
◆   Buyers, additional meetings may be added to your schedule throughout the conference to accommodate Suppliers who signed up for Matchmaking on or after January 14, 2023.

AT THE CONFERENCE

Buyers
◆   Plan to arrive to the matchmaking room about 15 minutes prior to your meeting’s scheduled start time.
◆   Each Buyer will be assigned a table number and will be provided their matchmaking schedule with Supplier information. Appropriate social distancing will be provided.
◆   Matchmaking Coordinators will make announcements in front of the matchmaking room at each meeting start time to allow Suppliers with appointments to proceed to their Buyer’s table.
◆   Each meeting is only 15 minutes and will have 5-minute breaks between each appointment.
      ◆   13 minutes into the meeting, a 2-minute end of meeting warning will be announced.
      ◆   At the 15 minute mark, an end of meeting announcement will be made.
Suppliers
◆   Be sure to bring a copy of your matchmaking meeting appointments. If needed, schedules can be printed at the Matchmaking Info Desk.
◆   There is no need to check in for your meetings at the Matchmaking Info Desk, unless you have any schedule changes/cancellations.
◆   Plan to arrive to the matchmaking room about 5 minutes prior to your meeting’s scheduled start time to line up in the “Appointments” queue.
      ◆   Take this time to identify the table number the Buyer you are meeting with is seated at (a table listing will be provided).
◆   Matchmaking Coordinators will make announcements in front of the matchmaking room at each meeting start time to allow Suppliers with appointments to proceed to their Buyer’s table.
◆   Each meeting is 15 minutes, please plan accordingly.
      ◆   13 minutes into the meeting, a 2-minute end of meeting warning will be announced.
      ◆   At the 15 minute mark, an end of meeting announcement will be made, and you will be asked to exit the room.
◆   If you have back to back meetings, you will still need to exit the matchmaking room and line up in the “Appointments” queue again.
◆   Many Buyers also have exhibit booths, please feel free to also visit with them there as well.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!