From Volunteer to Vendor: How to Get Contract-Ready for LA28
In our last post, we explored how volunteering for LA28 and the Paralympic Games is one of the most meaningful ways to be part of the Games. Volunteers bring the spirit, energy, and heart that make an event of this scale possible.
But there’s another side of the Games that many local businesses are just beginning to explore: procurement.
LA28 needs more than volunteers. It will rely on umpteen businesses to deliver goods, services, logistics, experiences, and operational support in the years leading up to 2028. For many small and mid-sized companies, it’s a real opportunity — if they’re ready.
What Does “Contract-Ready” Really Mean?
Being contract-ready doesn’t mean you need to be a massive corporation or an Olympic sponsor. It means having your fundamentals in order:
Proper business registrations and licenses
Insurance and compliance requirements
Clear articulation of what you offer and what makes you reliable
Capacity to scale thoughtfully and deliver consistently
Contract-ready is less about size, and more about preparedness.
Where Businesses Can Begin
One of the biggest misconceptions about Olympic procurement is that it’s inaccessible. In reality, there are many on-ramps designed specifically to help local businesses learn the process:
Procurement fairs and supplier briefings
Chamber of Commerce programs
SCORE and SBDC workshops focused on readiness
Industry-specific outreach and education events
These environments are meant to inform, not intimidate. They help businesses learn what buyers are looking for, how timelines work, and where opportunities may align with their capabilities.
Lessons from Past Games
Los Angeles has seen this before. During the 1984 Olympic Games, many local and regional businesses played critical roles, from logistics and hospitality to manufacturing and services. One of the biggest lessons from those Games still applies today: those who prepared early had the greatest flexibility and longevity.
Olympic procurement isn’t about last-minute contract wins. It’s about building credibility, showing consistency, and being ready when the right opportunity appears.
What You Can Do Right Now
If LA28 is on your radar, here are a few smart, low-pressure steps to take today:
Take an honest look at your business basics
Clarify your core offering and ideal clients
Attend one procurement-focused event this year
Start learning — without trying to do everything at once
Yes, you’re busy. Preparation compounds over time.
A Bigger Picture
LA28 isn’t just a two-week event in 2028. It’s a multi-year system of planning, partnerships, and participation. Whether you choose to volunteer, pursue procurement opportunities, or simply stay informed, there is room to engage in a way that aligns with your goals.
Volunteering opens one door. Business readiness opens another. The key is knowing which door is right for you — and when to step through it.
Join the Conversation at BOSS
If you’d like to explore LA28 preparation and procurement in a supportive, real-world setting, I’ll be sharing a short presentation and leading discussion at an upcoming Business Owners’ Sisterhood Social (BOSS) gathering.
BOSS is a space for women entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow — together.
Tuesday, January 20
5:30–7:30 pm
The Wicked Wolf, Long Beach
We’ll talk about what LA28 preparation looks like for small and mid-sized businesses, how to think about procurement readiness without overwhelming current business operations, and how to support one another as opportunities begin to take shape.
Registration details can be found through the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce event calendar.
Whether you’re actively preparing, simply curious, or just want to be in community with other terrific women business owners, you’re welcome to join us.
