Getting the Most Out of Your Day

The 2010 Ohio Business Matchmaker Small Business Contracting event offers an opportunity for your business to meet with qualified buyers for your particular products or services.  You will gather more contacts and leads here in one day than anywhere else.  This may be a new environment for you, so here are some tips to get the most out of your day.

Sellers

• Preview the tailored procurement opportunities on the list of buyers specifically developed for your company to find out who is buying what you sell.  Research their websites.  This list is available to you at anytime after you enter your NAICS codes. Check the system again just before you attend the event to ensure you have the latest and most complete list. (The list is updated in realtime.)
• Study the floor plan showing the buyers’ table locations carefully before venturing into the Exhibit Hall.
• Speak with the people on your list of buyers first.  Get as much information about their contracting and subcontracting procedures as possible.
• Bring a one page flyer that says who your clients are and what you do for them, and bring lots of business cards to hand out.
• Make sure you get the name, phone number and email addresses of all of the contacts you meet so you can follow up with them.
• Go to the seminars and learn.
• Do business!

Buyers

• Greet the people who walk by your booth.  Don’t let a potential seller get past you!
• Bring a list of current and upcoming procurement opportunities.
• Provide a “how to guide” for selling to your organization to distribute to vendors.
• Bring supplier registration information.
• Bring a list of any products or services for small, minority, 8(a), SDB, HUBZone or women-owned businesses.
• Do business!