Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise
The Matchmaking Event is a resource and networking opportunity for minority and women-owned businesses and local, state, and federal government buyers across Arkansas. This is a one-day event to help minority and women-owned businesses match with private and public sector buyers for contract opportunities. Registrants will have 15-minute, pre-arranged matchmaking appointments that would be otherwise difficult to schedule independently.
Get Registered
Registration is free for buyers and $15 for sellers($15 fee is non-reimbursable). Whether you are a buyer or a seller, please make sure you register here.
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Supporting Sponsor
Eric W. Nelson
Owner, Nelson Intelligence Solutions
Keynote Speaker
Eric has over 30 years of experience supporting agencies such as the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity, and military missions performing both technical and management functions.
Over 15 of these years is experience in increasing responsibility as program/project manager. In 2011, Eric retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Master Intelligence Analysis Officer with extensive experience All-Source Intelligence Fusion, Geospatial Intelligence and Strategic planning experience.
A certified Program Management Professional who also holds a Program Management Level II Acquisition Certification from the Defense Acquisition University, a Master Instructor Certification from the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Community, a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Management/Acquisition & Contract Management.
Arkansas MBDA Business Center and Arkansas APEX Accelerator Programs
Arkansas MBDA Business Center
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, manages a national network of MBDA Business Centers.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Arkansas MBDA Business Center is operated by Communities Unlimited, a 501(c)(3) Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Communities Unlimited’s Entrepreneurship Division provides expert trainings and technical assistance that align with the MBDA’s strategic goals to support the growth of Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses. The Center’s primary focus is serving mature SEDIs with significant revenues, operating budgets, and experienced staff to provide growth opportunities through contracting, partnerships, joint ventures, and subcontracting.
Arkansas APEX Accelerator
The Arkansas APEX Accelerator has provided services to Arkansas-based businesses since 1993. In that time, more than a billion dollars in contract awards in federal and state contracts have been performed by our clients. Arkansas APEX Accelerator is committed to the success of Arkansas businesses in government contracting and economic growth in Arkansas.
Arkansas APEX Accelerator is part of the Community, Professional, and Economic Development Department of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. We have partnered together to bring Arkansans this program. Please visit the APEX Accelerator website for more information.
Driving Directions
The Clinton Presidential Center and Park is located east of the River Market district in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Construction on the Arkansas River Bridge/Interstate 30 may cause detours.
From Interstate 30 East: Take exit 140 and follow the frontage road in the right lane. Turn right onto 4th St. Turn left onto Collins St. Turn right onto 3rd St.
From Interstate 40 East/West: Merge onto Interstate 30 West toward Little Rock then follow the directions below.
From Interstate 30 West: Take exit 140B and follow the frontage road. Turn left onto 9th St to cross the I-30. Turn left and follow the frontage road. Turn right onto 4th St. Turn left onto Collins St. Turn right onto 3rd St.
From Downtown Little Rock: President Clinton Ave. and 3rd St. are intermittently closed due to construction. 9th St. is open.
Contact Us
If you need further assistance with this event, don’t hesitate to contact us.
