TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) is hosting a Tennessee Business Matchmaking Conference, June 29, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis. The conference pairs small, minority and women-owned businesses, or “sellers” with private and public sector “buyers” that have real contracting opportunities, and schedules businesses to meet in 15-minute appointments.

ECD Commissioner Matthew Kisber and the department’s Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) launched the Tennessee Business Matchmaking program April 20 in Johnson City. Kisber hopes the department can expand on the success of the first conference.

“The matchmaking program helps small businesses meet with government agencies and large corporations that might have taken weeks or months to schedule on their own,” said Kisber. “While the program doesn’t guarantee contracts, because of the nature of the formal bidding process between buyers and suppliers, the event does offer an opportunity for small businesses to get their foot in the door and meet potential clients.”

The registration fee for small businesses is $35 and the registration deadline is May 31. Due to extensive preparation and scheduling, small businesses are encouraged to register early. There is no registration fee for buyers and the registration deadline is May 17. For more information and to register, visit http://www.tnecd.gov/matchmaking.

“I’ve only been in business for four years, so this event was a great opportunity for me to meet and network with potential buyers,” said Judy Pierce, owner of Southern Specialties in Bristol who attended the Tennessee Businesses Matchmaking event in Johnson City. “Following the event, I’m going to write follow-up letters and make sure potential buyers don’t forget my name or my products.”

Buyer Kathy McMillan, manager of contracts and procurement for Wackenhut Services in Oak Ridge, was also pleased with the Johnson City event. “I like the 15-minute increment meeting times the event offers,” said McMillan. “The small businesses I met with were very professional and prepared for the meeting.”

The West Tennessee Business Matchmaking event will host buyers such as BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, U.S. Department of General Services Administration, City of Memphis, Shelby County Government, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, City of Jackson plus several state and federal government entities. For a complete list of buyers, visit the Web site.

ECD’s BERO is organizing and hosting the series of statewide Tennessee Business Matchmaking conferences in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Other sponsors for the events include the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers, UT Center for Industrial Services, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University and Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Following the West Tennessee Business Matchmaking event, ECD will co-sponsor the Women Business Owners Opportunities Conference with the Tennessee Economic Council on Women and Southwest Tennessee Community College. This daylong event for women business owners in West Tennessee will consist of powerhouse sessions, workshops and panel discussions designed to help grow your business. For additional information, contact, http://tennessee.gov/sos/ecw/wbooc.htm.