Looking to level the playing field in the transportation industry, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) along with a slew of partner agencies are rolling out the red carpet for small businesses and those run by socially and economically disadvantaged groups at a free expo poised to give them a crack at federal contract opportunities.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Transportation EXPO, slated from 7 a.m. to noon on May 7, will set up shop in the Mesa Convention Center, and it's there that entrepreneurs will get to rub elbows with the bigwigs of the transportation realm, listen in on project announcements, and hopefully snag their next big break, as ADOT announced.

Laying out a buffet of networking opportunities, the event’s attendees will get face time with an assortment of industry players and business luminaries including ADOT’s own Deputy Director, Teresa Welborn, and the agenda isn't just schmoozing—it's stocked with panel discussions featuring the heads of local government agencies, established owners, and prime contractors, as well as updates on major projects outlined for the area.

Open not only to DBEs and small fries, but also to any business, public agency, or community group with interests in the transportation gravy train—the EXPO is shaping up to be a melting pot for movers and shakers looking to drive business forward and keep the wheels of industry spinning, for registration and the nitty-gritty on what ADOT has cooking for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, those interested can scoot over to their websites at adotdbeexpo.com and azdot.gov/dbe.