Government Contractor Events, Networking & Webinars

Whether you're a small business, mid-market firm, or a large prime, yes. Matchmaking sessions and agency networking events are some of the fastest ways to meet contracting officers, primes, and subcontracting liaisons face to face. The key is picking events that match your NAICS codes and capabilities, and showing up prepared with a capabilities statement and target agencies in mind.

A matchmaking event sets up short, one-on-one meetings between small businesses and the people who buy or award work: contracting officers from federal agencies and small business liaisons from prime contractors. Most meetings run 10 to 15 minutes, and you sign up ahead of time for the buyers you most want to see. Think of it as speed networking with a purpose. These meetings are relationship starters, not sales pitches, so the goal is to explain what your company does, learn what that agency or prime is buying, and earn a real follow-up. Your FEDCON advisor will help you prepare: picking the right meetings, sharpening your pitch, and getting your capabilities statement ready. It is one of the services we offer.

At a minimum: printed capabilities statements, business cards, a short pitch (30 to 60 seconds), and a list of three to five agencies or primes you want to meet. If the event publishes attendee lists in advance, review them and prioritize your meetings beforehand.

Start with SBA-hosted webinars on certifications (8(a), WOSB, EDWOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone), then move into local PTAC and APEX Accelerator events for one-on-one guidance. Once your SAM.gov registration and certifications are in place, agency-specific outreach and matchmaking events become the most valuable.

Yes. Within 24 hours, send a short, personalized email to each contracting officer or prime you met. Reference the conversation, attach your capabilities statement, and propose a specific next step (a 15-minute call, a teaming discussion, or a question about an upcoming opportunity). One exception: if someone told you how they want to be reached, whether that is a phone call, a LinkedIn message, or an email, follow what they asked. Generic follow-ups get ignored.

For training events and webinars, no. For matchmaking and agency networking events, strongly recommended. Contracting officers and primes will ask for your UEI and CAGE code, and the conversation moves a lot faster when you have both ready. Need to get SAM.gov registered or renew your registration? A FEDCON advisor can help.