The State of Oklahoma invites businesses to connect and explore partnership opportunities with state agencies at the fifth State Suppliers Expo, happening Aug. 5-6 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. This free, come-and-go event is open to entrepreneurs from all over Oklahoma who want to learn how to do business with the state, get registered as a bidder, and connect with government leaders about current and upcoming projects.
Last year’s expo drew in a record number of 700 attendees representing more than 500 companies. By the end of the event, 121 companies had begun the supplier registration process, eventually allowing them to submit competitive bids toward state government contracts affiliated with their industry. Since visiting the 2024 State Suppliers Expo, attendees have conducted business with state agencies worth roughly $286 million – $147.7 million of that sum being spent with Oklahoma companies.
“The State Suppliers Expo is a unique opportunity for representatives from both the private and public sector to engage in crucial one-on-one discussions about how these products and services can best fulfill the state’s needs,” said OMES Director Rick Rose. “Collaborating closely with private companies allows state agencies to execute projects more effectively and offer enhanced services to the people of Oklahoma.”
For its fifth year, the 2025 State Suppliers Expo is expanding on its key offerings across two full days of procurement education and networking opportunities. Some highlights from this year’s agenda include:
A new Higher Education booth featuring the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State University and A&M System on Day 1 of the expo.
Oklahoma County joining the lineup of breakout sessions with a presentation on navigating the county’s procurement process, hosted by Oklahoma County Clerk Communications Director Cherokee Ballard.
A breakout session hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs outlining the unique skills veterans bring to the workforce, the benefits of hiring a veteran, and the lasting value they add to business success and community growth.
“The expo is a great place to see almost all state agencies in one location,” said 2024 attendee Mike Carpenter, vice president for government solutions at Arrowhead Consulting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Many of the tables have wish lists of the agency’s top priorities, so it’s easy to spark a conversation about how we can work together on timely projects. It was extremely helpful to walk up to specific agencies and align on answers right then and there.”
As of June 30, 380 companies have already signed up to attend the 2025 State Suppliers Expo. The deadline to pre-register for this year’s expo has passed, but prospective attendees can register on-site starting at 8 a.m. on both expo days. Learn more about this year’s offerings and make a plan to attend Oklahoma’s biggest government-business networking event of the year by visiting oklahoma.gov/stateyourbusiness.
“Listen: I know time is tight for everybody,” said Carpenter. “We’re expected to do more with less and with fewer people or resources to get it done. But if you do business with the State of Oklahoma, this expo is by far the best time investment you can make. There isn’t another place where you can visit with this many state agencies directly, get contact information, register as a vendor and find the right statewide contracts to join. Just go to the next expo and every expo after that. You’ll be glad you did.”
