State Suppliers Expo returns, offers companies tools to do business with the state

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State of Oklahoma is inviting businesses to attend the fourth State Suppliers Expo, Oklahoma’s biggest government-business networking and educational event, on Sept. 25-26 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Attendees can meet state leaders across all areas of government, discover opportunities to partner on projects, sign up as state bidders and learn how to navigate state purchasing processes all under one roof. In short – the expo gives businesses the tools they need to do business with the state.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with local businesses and see how they can help us meet the needs of our state,” said Amanda Otis, state purchasing director. “Working closely with the private sector means the state can complete projects more efficiently and provide better services to Oklahomans, and the expo helps us find the best partners to make our community stronger and more successful.”

For three years, the State Suppliers Expo has connected the State of Oklahoma with local businesses, creating lasting relationships. Since attending the 2023 State Suppliers Expo, attendees have conducted roughly $4.8 million in business with state agencies. Of that sum, $4.2 million was spent with Oklahoma companies.

Building on key event offerings and using attendee feedback from prior years, the 2024 State Suppliers Expo features several new elements.

• This year’s participants can look forward to a two-day event – with one day focused on networking and the other featuring a full lineup of breakout sessions focused on the “how” of doing business with state entities.
• Construction companies are invited to a State of Construction Breakfast hosted by Nathan Wald, Capital Assets Management administrator, who oversees the state’s Construction and Properties team.
• Technology companies are invited to a State of Technology Luncheon hosted by Joe McIntosh, state chief information officer, who will moderate a panel discussion about the impact of emerging technologies on the health and human services sectors of government.
• The new Oklahoma Business Matchup segment invites the first 160 pre-registered companies to meet with their choice of state contacts in prescheduled 15-minute meetings.
• Local small businesses are invited to an Oklahoma Small Business Contracting Opportunities breakout session, hosted by Oklahoma CareerTech’s APEX Accelerator program.
• All companies are invited to a National Contract Opportunities breakout session, hosted by the National Association of State Procurement Officials, to learn how to do business with multiple states.

“This is a free event for you to bring your game face, visit several state agencies in the same room, and promote yourself all in one day,” said 2023 attendee David Crawford, CEO of TruCleanz Distribution, a Native American and veteran-owned business that provides medical equipment out of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. “As a small business entrepreneur … I have a very small promotional budget, [and the State Suppliers Expo] gives me a chance to promote myself to many agencies at once without a large cost.”

Businesses of all sizes and industries are invited to attend at no charge, and pre-registration for the 2024 State Suppliers Expo is open through Sept. 13. Visit oklahoma.gov/stateyourbusiness for the latest updates and more information.

Christa Helfrey
christa.helfrey@omes.ok.gov

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information, visit oklahoma.gov/omes.