Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show: Connecting Businesses to Buyers for 15 Years

In its 15^th year, the 2026 Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show connected more than 120 business attendees to buyers from 24 government agencies and prime contractors, exceeding expectations and capitalizing on the Tampa Bay region’s growth in government contracting opportunities for small businesses.

Held annually, the Reverse Trade Showis a key Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) event at which business representatives visit with participating organizations’ tables to sell their products and services directly to purchasing agents. A wide array of participating organizations, including local government agencies, Tampa Bay area transit authorities, and even the United States Special Operations Command, benefit from direct access to business representatives in an informal setting.

Dr. Cynthia Johnson, PCED Director, remarked at the event: “What we see happening right now is exactly what we’re here for. To network, to understand who’s in the room, to make new connections. We have some very, very big projects coming up in Pinellas County. Some can’t be done alone. So hopefully you meet someone you can partner with. Someone who brings an asset, brings some added value to what you’re doing.”

Nadia Safinara, co-founder of Oxalis Advisors, attended the event with exactly that approach in mind, stating, “I’m here today at the Reverse Trade Show to meet with other local businesses, as well as local cities and county folks, to see how we can better serve our community.” Wameed Beckrey, of Olivebranch Holdings Inc., also attended the Reverse Trade Show and said of the experience, “I appreciate the effort that was put into the event. It was extremely useful, particularly getting to meet the county/city staff and other contractors for networking.”

Last year, PCED launched an after-event series of Virtual Match Makers to schedule targeted meetings between participants and agencies they most wanted to do business with. Such was the success, Virtual Match Maker meetings were scheduled for a full week following the 2026 Reverse Trade Show and early analysis points to a number of potential opportunities for local businesses.

De’Nicea Hilton Harper, owner of The Perfect PlayGround by Hilton Holistic Health and Wellness LLC, was impressed with the individualized assistance provided by the Virtual Match Maker experience, saying, “To be able to sit with the very people who are behind the scenes and watch them walk you through their sites, their processes and potential opportunities was platinum. As I’m just getting started in securing government contracts, this was the perfect place for me to let all the lil’ jitterbugs go away as each session was guided with direct answers, clarity and care. Truly appreciate these sessions and have already registered for events, consultations, newsletter lists and beginning the certifying processes with different agencies.”

Overall, both business attendees and participating purchasing agents expressed enthusiasm for the turnout, relevancy, and effectiveness of the Reverse Trade Show and Virtual Match Maker events. The event has grown each year and we look forward to continuing to build on its success in 2027 and beyond.