State Holds First Diversity Business Enterprise Forum

Published on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The State of Rhode Island announces its first "Diversity Business Enterprise Forum" to connect diverse business owners with resources and opportunities to grow their business through Government Procurement. The event is being held on Thursday, April 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI, with registration from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The forum is hosted by the ODEO's Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office (MBECO) and Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), in partnership with Oasis International, Progreso Latino, Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, Center for Southeast Asians, Center for Women & Enterprise, African Alliance of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Black Contractors Associations, Urban Ventures, Rhode Island Black Business Association, Rhode Island Indian Council, and NAACP/Providence Branch.

The event will feature a business networking opportunity, entitled: "The Procurement Exchange" from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., where vendors will be able to have a face-to-face conversation with several State agencies, quasi-state agencies, and prime vendor project managers and procurement officials about current and future projects, and opportunities to contract with these entities. The event will also feature three workshops:

"How To Do Business with the State of Rhode Island" 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

"How to Apply for MBE, WBE, DBE, ACDBE, 8(A), VOSB, and SDVOSB Designation" 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

"Financing Your Business" 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Media Contact: Brenna McCabe R.I. Department of Administration 401-222-2277