By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – On September 18, 2024, Chatham County will host a major business networking event, the Chatham Supplier Expo, at the Chatham Agriculture & Conference Center from 3 pm to 6 pm. The event is designed to connect Chatham County’s small businesses with larger, established industries, offering a valuable platform for economic collaboration and growth.
Jack Pendergraph, Business Development Manager for the Chatham Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and Josh Harris, CEO of the Siler City Area Chamber of Commerce, provided key insights into the event during our recent conversation at the Chatham County Ag Center. They emphasized the expo’s potential to forge strong business partnerships and stimulate local economic development. Both Jack and Josh have been actively involved in shaping this unique opportunity for small businesses in the region.
Chatham Supplier Expo: A Platform for Opportunity
The Chatham Supplier Expo aims to bridge the gap between small local businesses and larger industries operating within and around Chatham County. Major corporations like Wolfspeed, Mountaire Farms, and D.R. Horton have signed on to participate, creating a broad spectrum of opportunities for smaller businesses. The event is open to any business, regardless of size, offering a chance for even the smallest operations to connect with large-scale procurement teams.
Josh Harris shared that the motivation behind the expo stemmed from the realization that there were untapped opportunities for local small businesses to become suppliers for major industries. “This is an opportunity for any business in Chatham County to make those key connections. Whether you’re a caterer, a trucking company, or a manufacturer, this is your chance to meet procurement teams from some of the largest industries in our area,” Harris noted.
The expo is not just about immediate deals but also about learning what it takes to become a supplier for these large firms. “Small businesses may not be ready to sign a contract right away,” Pendergraph explained, “but this event is an opportunity to learn what’s required—insurance, bonding, and compliance with specific procurement processes—so they can prepare for future opportunities.”
From Wolfspeed to Mountaire: Connecting with Major Industries
One of the key features of the Supplier Expo is its broad range of participating companies. Wolfspeed, which recently set up operations in Chatham County, has been instrumental in shaping the format of the event. The company hosted its own supplier event last year, which was highly successful and brought businesses from surrounding counties like Lee, Wake, and Randolph into the fold.
Pendergraph elaborated, “Wolfspeed’s event was a great success, and it set the tone for what we’re trying to accomplish. We’re taking that format and expanding it to include all of our existing industries in Chatham County. This is a real chance for businesses to learn how to navigate procurement processes and potentially become long-term suppliers.”
Mountaire Farms, another large employer in the region, has also signed on to participate, and their presence highlights the expo’s focus on industries that require a wide array of services. From trucking and logistics to maintenance and supplies, the event promises opportunities across multiple sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities for Small Businesses
The path to becoming a supplier for a large corporation often seems daunting for small businesses, and the expo aims to demystify that process. Josh Harris noted, “A lot of small businesses might feel intimidated by the insurance or bonding requirements, but this event is designed to break down those barriers. It’s important that small business owners understand that even if they’re not ready to contract right now, this is a chance to learn and grow.”
For example, many companies require at least $1 million in liability insurance to become a qualified supplier, which can be a hurdle for smaller firms. However, by attending the event, these businesses can learn what steps they need to take to meet those requirements in the future. “Even if you don’t sign a contract immediately, you’ll leave with the knowledge of what you need to do to get there,” Pendergraph added.
Harris encouraged all small business owners in the county to attend, emphasizing that the event is free to attend, with only a simple registration required. “This is about building our local economy,” he said. “No matter how small your business is, there’s an opportunity for you to connect with these larger industries.”
Building a Stronger Local Economy
At its core, the Chatham Supplier Expo is about more than just individual business transactions. It’s part of a broader strategy to strengthen the local economy by creating connections between small businesses and the region’s economic powerhouses. Both Pendergraph and Harris are optimistic that the expo will have a lasting impact on the county.
“We want Chatham County’s small businesses to be part of the growth that’s happening here,” said Harris. “By creating relationships with these larger industries, we’re laying the foundation for a more robust local economy.”
The event is also geared toward encouraging industries to keep their procurement local. “A lot of these big companies want to work with local businesses, but they just don’t know who’s out there,” Pendergraph explained. “This event gives them the opportunity to meet face-to-face with small business owners in their backyard.”
Beyond the Expo: Long-Term Benefits for Attendees
While the Supplier Expo is a one-day event, its impact is expected to resonate well beyond September 18th. One of the key features of the expo is a database that will be compiled from the list of attendees. This will be shared with participating companies, allowing them to refer back to potential suppliers even months after the event.
Harris explained, “Even if a company doesn’t have an immediate need for your services, they might down the line. By attending this event and getting your name in the database, you’re putting yourself in a position to be contacted for future opportunities.”
In addition, businesses that attend the expo will gain invaluable insights into the procurement processes of large firms. Many of these companies have detailed portals and systems that suppliers must navigate. By learning about these processes now, businesses can prepare themselves for future bids and contracts.
What Success Looks Like
For both Harris and Pendergraph, success for the Chatham Supplier Expo is defined by the quality of connections made during the event. “Ideally, we’d love to see contracts signed on the spot,” said Pendergraph. “But even more important is that small businesses leave the expo with new relationships and a better understanding of how they can grow.”
Harris echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of networking. “It’s all about those conversations. If someone leaves having made one or two solid connections, we’ve done our job.”
Advice for Attendees
For those planning to attend the Supplier Expo, Harris and Pendergraph offered a few pieces of advice. “Come prepared to meet people and make connections,” Harris said. “Bring business cards, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. Even if you’re not sure you’re ready to supply a big company right now, this is a learning opportunity.”
Pendergraph added that attendees should also take the time to learn about what the larger companies are looking for in a supplier. “Every company has different requirements, and the more you know about what they’re looking for, the better prepared you’ll be to work with them in the future.”
A New Era of Economic Collaboration in Chatham County
The Chatham Supplier Expo cold prove to be a pivotal event for local businesses, opening the doors to new opportunities and fostering economic collaboration between small businesses and larger industries. With heavyweights like Wolfspeed and Mountaire Farms participating, the event is set to be a key driver of economic growth in the county.
As the event approaches, Harris and Pendergraph are hopeful that this initiative will serve as a model for future efforts to support small businesses in the area. “This is just the beginning,” said Pendergraph. “We’re committed to helping our local businesses grow and succeed, and the Supplier Expo is a big part of that effort.”
For small business owners in Chatham County, the message is clear: The Supplier Expo is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Don’t miss the chance to be part of something that could shape the future of business in Chatham County and the surrounding region.
Watch on YouTube – Jack & Josh talk about the upcoming Chatham Supplier Expo at the Chatham Ag Center – 9.5.24
00:16 The Chatham Supplier Expo is to connect larger Industries with small businesses.
The Expo will be held on September 18th from 3 to 6 p.m.
Initiative aimed at connecting historically underutilized businesses with Chatham County and surrounding areas.
03:02 Opportunity for local businesses to connect with potential suppliers
Expanding on the successful format set by Wolfspeed to include all existing industries in Chatham County
Requirement details like collateral insurance of at least a million dollars and company-specific procurement processes discussed
05:36 Chatham Supplier Expo offers networking opportunities for businesses of all sizes
Event open to all types of businesses, from pressure washing to cabling services, creating networking and referral opportunities
Participating in the event provides learning opportunities, potential for future contracts, and connections with larger companies
07:58 Building lasting connections for future business opportunities
The event was planned with careful consideration and extensive legwork over a period of eight to nine months, ensuring that the needs of local businesses are understood and catered to.
Emphasis on making new connections, networking, and nurturing relationships for potential future collaborations, with a focus on quality conversations and potential contract signings.
10:28 Importance of fostering relationships between small businesses and larger industries
Attendees can register through the Siler Area Chamber website or the EDC for the Supplier Expo.
Chamber President focuses on member support and finding valuable avenues for members, while the EDC works on business retention and attracting new businesses.
13:09 Promoting education and workforce development in Chatham County
The program aims to bridge the gap between high school students and the workforce by connecting employers with potential employees locally.
Chatham County works with CCC to offer upskilling programs and partnerships with local industries for training and development.
15:43 Chatham Supplier Expo encourages networking and connections
Food vendors are welcome to participate at the Expo, open to all interested in business connections
Successful past experiences include local food providers serving after community events
18:13 Upcoming Chatham Supplier Expo
Chatham expanding reach into other towns like Pittsboro and Siler City for better connections and growth.
Innovative Construction Group investing in Siler City, CTI Systems in Goldston expanding, and a call for businesses to participate in the expo.
Encouraging local businesses to participate in the event, build connections, and keep money in the local economy.