Chris Holman welcomes back Laketa Henderson, District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Michigan District Office, Detroit, MI.

Watch Laketa and Chris discuss results from SBA’s 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo, supplier connections, feedback, and what’s next in the YouTube video shared below:

Chris wanted to find out several things from Laketa in this conversation:

• Welcome back Laketa, how did the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at Motor City Casino go last Friday?

• Dive down a bit, how was the feedback from the resource organizations, suppliers, and companies looking to make matches?

• This followed an Expo in North Carolina, and I understand Arizona could be next?

• We understand you had some news you wanted to share with us last week, but ran out of time, what are the details?

Hear Laketa and Jeffrey discuss the supplier matchmaking expo at the point when it was coming up Friday, June 5th. Made in America growth, Michigan manufacturing, and SBA Patriot Pitch in the SoundCloud Podcast shared below:

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The Supplier Matchmaking Expo is your chance to meet domestic corporate partners from companies of all sizes that are looking for suppliers.

This unique opportunity, hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA) will bring together buyers and suppliers looking to strengthen the U.S. supply chain. The U.S. Small Business Administration, in collaboration with the New American Industrial Alliance, Michigan Economic Development Center, Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators, Michigan SBDC, and DTMB – Central Procurement Services, is excited to announce the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo.

What’s Included: One-on-one matchmaking services provided by Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators, Michigan Economic Development Council, and Michigan Small Business Development Center Exhibit hall with U.S. buyers and local, state, and federal organizations that support small manufacturers. Gain access to key industry players and discover fresh opportunities.