SBA, GM to host Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Detroit to strengthen domestic supply chains

On June 5, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in collaboration with General Motors (GM), will host the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at MotorCity Casino in Detroit. This event aims to connect small manufacturers and suppliers with major corporations and government buyers seeking U.S.-based partners as part of the administration’s Made in America initiative.

Event details

• Date and time: June 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET
• Registration: Open for both buyers and suppliers.

The expo will focus on helping businesses identify domestic sourcing opportunities and strengthen U.S.-based supply chains.

Small businesses and manufacturers will have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one matchmaking sessions with potential buyers. Additionally, attendees will have access to federal, state, and local resources to support manufacturing and supplier growth.

Organizers expect the event to foster new business relationships between suppliers and large organizations seeking operational partners. Participating buyers will include major corporations, defense contractors, government agencies, and public-sector organizations.

Confirmed participants include:

• Boeing
• Google
• DTE Energy
• American Rheinmetall
• MillerKnoll
• RENK America
• SAPA Transmission
• NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs
• The Defense Logistics Agency
• The Department of the Air Force
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, among others.

At the inaugural event, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler mentioned that the program has been expanded due to strong demand from both large companies and small businesses. She highlighted the crucial role small businesses play in supporting domestic production and the administration’s efforts to strengthen U.S. supply chains through local partnerships.

Notably, the first Supplier Matchmaking Expo took place in March in Charlotte, North Carolina, where over 675 small businesses connected with 35 large industrial buyers and government resource providers. Of those, more than 170 small businesses successfully matched with larger companies to provide services, according to the SBA.