South Korean companies gained spotlight from U.S. buyers seeking to replace Chinese suppliers at a business convention in Georgia, securing major contracts amid a broader supply chain shift triggered by the U.S.-China trade war.

The 23rd World Korean Business Convention, which concluded Sunday after a four-day run in Atlanta, Georgia, drew over 3,000 visitors on the first day.

U.S. buyers grappling with sourcing challenges viewed the event as a timely opportunity, with major players like home improvement retailer Home Depot Inc. in attendance to diversify their supplier base.

Many deals were signed during the convention. U.S.-based retailer Home Shopping World, led by Chief Executive Officer Rick Kim, struck $4.5 million worth of deals with two small Korean companies.

Sloker, a traditional rice-based liquor producer from Cheonan, signed a $7 million contract with Chicago-based Jinmyung Corp. and a $3.8 million deal with KHO.

Some Korean firms were considering building production facilities in the U.S. to bypass tariff barriers.

Hanul Co., a wet wipes supplier to Costco Wholesale Corp. and others, reported new interest from buyers who previously manufactured in China but are now shifting to Korean alternatives due to profitability concerns under current tariffs.

Gumi-based e-Powertrain Korea, a maker of electric motors for unmanned aerial vehicles, promoted its capability to support U.S. drone manufacturing without Chinese components.

CEO Lee Eui-chun said the company aims to work with American defense contractors, highlighting its superior performance compared to existing products.

Korean food, in particular, drew significant attention.

Bumil Industrial Co.’s booth, showcasing its automatic instant noodle cooker, was packed with visitors. Actor-turned-entrepreneur Jung Tae-woo promoted his food brand, Daddy Food, featuring plant-based ham and nuggets designed for the U.S. vegan market.

Korean beauty brands, a key part of the Korean wave, also garnered interest.

KISS Beauty Group specializes in fashion nails and false eyelashes, securing a dominant 92 percent U.S. market share in artificial nails and 36 percent in lashes.

On the third day, a Public Procurement Forum introduced ways for Korean companies to enter U.S. federal contracting.

Matthew Lee, author of a guide to winning U.S. government contracts, outlined the process of entering the market through the 8(a) Business Development Program certifications for small businesses.

Choi Ah-rum, CEO of Dot Inc., a maker of digital devices for the visually impaired, noted the challenges of accessing the public procurement market and expressed hopes of leveraging Korean-American networks to target federal and state opportunities.

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