FRENCH LICK— The 25th annual Buy Indiana Expo will return to the French Lick Resort’s Exhibition Hall on April 15-16, 2024.
The event will attract about 200 companies seeking to do business with the Department of Defense via the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.
The Jasper Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Buy Indiana Expo this year. NSWC Crane will send staff from its procurement and business departments to engage with the businesses.
“We always have good attendance at the Buy Indiana Expo,” said Nancy Eckerle, executive director of the Jasper Chamber. “Some companies have long-standing contracts with Crane, and others want to get those contracts.”
In addition to the expo, several workshops will be offered to help companies do business with the DoD.
Eckerle said the companies that attend the Buy Indiana Expo continue to change as NSWC Crane’s needs evolve.
“Although many companies remain the same from year to year, there are always new ones, and the items they showcase have changed,” she said. You’re seeing more technical and modern items and services. I’m excited to see what’s there this year.”
With a daytime population of 6,500, NSWC Crane is a city all by itself, and this is reflected in the companies attending the expo.
“In addition to providing items that Crane needs to supply and support our military, Crane also needs services like landscaping and food services,” she said.
The Buy Indiana Expo will open with the presentation of colors by a color guard from Jasper and the singing of the national anthem.
