$18 Billion and Counting: Why Small Businesses Should Register Now for LA28 Opportunities
LOS ANGELES - The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to Los Angeles—and beyond the global spotlight and world-class competition lies a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for small businesses across the region.
From construction and logistics to catering, staffing, technology, marketing, security, transportation, and professional services, the Games will generate years of contracting and supplier demand. And according to recent information sessions, there’s one system small businesses need to understand clearly: LA28 is using LA RAMP.
LA RAMP: The Official Procurement Pathway for LA28
The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games—LA28—has aligned its supplier outreach with LA RAMP, the Los Angeles Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement.
LA RAMP is a centralized procurement platform used by:
- The City of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County
- Regional and partner agencies
- Large public-sector buyers and affiliated initiatives
- For small businesses, this is critical: If you are not registered in LA RAMP, you are not visible for LA28-related opportunities. LA RAMP serves as the gateway system where buyers identify vendors, issue solicitations, and source suppliers—often before opportunities are broadly advertised.
What This Means for Small Businesses in the Inland Empire
Unlike traditional "one-off” bids, LA28-related work will flow through layers of procurement—many tied to city and county departments preparing for the Games. Opportunities may appear as:
- Infrastructure and facility contracts
- Workforce and staffing services
- Event operations and logistics
- Community programming and outreach
- Marketing, media, and communications
- Professional and technical services
- Even if a contract doesn’t say "Olympics” in the title, it may still support Games readiness.
Why Early Registration Matters
One of the most important takeaways from recent LA28 info sessions is this: Many opportunities are sourced directly from vendor databases:
- Buyers search by capability, NAICS code, certifications, and location
- Vendors who are registered and complete are contacted first
- Waiting for public bid postings often means you’re already late
- LA RAMP is not just a formality—it’s an active sourcing tool.
Direct vs. Indirect LA28 Opportunities
- Most small businesses will participate indirectly, not as prime Olympic contractors. Pathways include:
- Subcontracting with large prime contractors
- Providing specialized or local services
- Supporting sponsors, partners, and activation teams
- Delivering community-based or workforce-related services
- In many cases, being local, nimble, and reliable is a competitive advantage
What Small Businesses Should Do Right Now
To position your business for LA28-related work through LA RAMP:
1. Register and complete your LA RAMP profile:
- Accurate business description
- NAICS codes
- Certifications (if applicable)
- Service areas
- Past performance
2. Prepare a strong capability statement:
- One page. Clear. Scannable.
- What you do
- Who you serve
- What makes you different
- How you deliver
3. Package your services
Avoid "we do everything.” Lead with 3–5 defined offerings, such as:
- Event staffing packages
- Catering or hospitality services
- Printing and signage bundles
- IT or technical field support
- Transportation or logistics solutions
4. Build relationships before bids drop. Sign up for advance notices to attend:
- Supplier briefings
- Procurement summits
- City and County vendor events
- Sports and entertainment supplier convenings
- Procurement is relational—not just transactional.
The Bigger Picture
LA28 is not a single event. It’s a multi-year economic ecosystem touching transportation, workforce development, construction, small business growth, and community engagement.
Small businesses that benefit most will be those that:
- Register early
- Stay visible
- Understand how public procurement actually works
- Position themselves as dependable partners
The Games are coming. The systems are already in motion. LA RAMP is where the door is. For more information visit:
https://www.rampla.org
