MATCHMAKING: FAQ

The 2025 National Small Business Conference offers two days of Matchmaking, February 12-13, 2025. Attendees have the opportunity to be pre matched to meet one-on-one with federal agencies and large primes. When registering, be sure to opt-in as a buyer (agency/prime) or supplier (small business) to receive updates. Opting in for Matchmaking does not guarantee a meeting. All Matchmaking meetings are pre-assigned appointments and facilitated by the National 8(a) Association.

    • Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 1:30pm-5:00pm

    • Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1:30pm-5:00pm

  • If you are a supplier, please opt-in or submit information by January 24, 2025. If you are a buyer, please opt-in or submit information by January 15, 2025.

  • No, the National 8(a) Association will be pre-matching all meetings on behalf of each company.

  • Based on buyers’ requirements, the National 8(a) Association will match suppliers based on the capabilities provided in their company’s registration.

  • Matchmaking schedules will be sent out one week prior to the conference.

  • Only one schedule of meetings is provided per company and more than one person from the company may attend the appointment(s).

  • No, just be sure to arrive at the Matchmaking area at least 5 minutes prior to your appointment time.

  • Additional meetings will be offered at the conference through an “open-call” process. You will need to wait in the “open-call” queue and listen for an announcement to know which buyer is available.

  • Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org or visit the Matchmaking information desk at the conference.

  • Your company’s capabilities did not align with the interests or current needs of the attending buyers, or there were no available appointments. Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org if you would like a detailed explanation.

  • Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org to edit your registration.

  • Suppliers registering for the conference after January 24, 2025 can email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org prior to the conference. We will be assigning Matchmaking meetings on-site at the conference at the Matchmaking information desk and through “open-call” during Matchmaking hours.

    • On-Site Scheduled Meetings: Visit us at the Matchmaking information desk on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 8:00am – 1:00pm to schedule Matchmaking appointments.

    • “Open-Call” Meetings: Occur 2 minutes after each Matchmaking meeting start time. If a supplier does not show up for their pre-scheduled meeting or the buyer has availability, we look to the "open-call” area to match a supplier with a buyer who is available.

  • Bring plenty of business cards, capability statements, and any marketing materials to provide to the buyers.

If you still have questions after reviewing all of the Matchmaking information, contact matchmaking@national8aassociation.org, and we will provide a response within 48 hours of your inquiry.