The event kicks off with opening remarks at noon Thursday at the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will attend along with Gloria Pualani, the company’s director for global supplier diversity.

Nearly 100 Kansas suppliers are expected to attend and meet with Northrop Grumman representatives.

Moran’s office says in a news release that the company already does business with more than 180 Kansas firms, and has committed more than $132 million worth of business with Kansas suppliers. It employs more than 640 Kansans at facilities in Olathe, Fort Leavenworth and Topeka.