3/26/08 Dms Office Of Supplier Diversity Sponsors Northeast Florida Regional Matchmaker Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008
CONTACT:
LINDA MCDONALD
(850) 921-5266
~Regional MatchMaker event provides valuable opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses in Northeast Florida to meet with state purchasing officers~
JACKSONVILLE-The Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) presents the 2008 Northeast Florida Regional MatchMaker on March 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of North Florida's University Center in Jacksonville. OSD holds several Regional MatchMaker workshops around the state to provide area minority business owners with practical advice on how to do business with the State of Florida. This event is co-sponsored by the University of North Florida.
"Minority business enterprises make significant contributions to the economic development of Florida and this region, so it is critical that the state nurture their business development," said Rep. Jennifer Carroll, R-Green Cove Springs. "This MatchMaker event, coupled with the ongoing work of the Office of Supplier Diversity, provides support and education for these business owners, and perhaps most importantly, face time with key purchasing professionals."
At the MatchMaker event, vendors can schedule 15-minute, one-on-one appointments in the afternoon with government and private buyers. The appointments give vendors a personal opportunity to market their businesses to targeted buyers.
"Nearly 33 percent of vendors registered with the state are minority business enterprises, and the Office of Supplier Diversity connects them with buyers from local and state government, as well as private enterprise," said DMS Secretary Linda H. South. "During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, state government spent $1.1 billion with certified women- and minority-owned business enterprises."
During the event, Office of Supplier Diversity Director Torey Alston will discuss OSD's strategic plan, the 2010 Plan. It outlines how Florida can expand business and economic opportunities for women- and minority-owned business enterprises through additional outreach activities, automation of services and increased accountability.
"The Office of Supplier Diversity advocates for and supports minority businesses throughout the state," said Alston. "Regional MatchMaker workshops bring local vendors and local spenders together as the State of Florida works to advance minority- and women-owned businesses in Northeast Florida."
The Office of Supplier Diversity certifies nearly 4,000 women- and minority-owned businesses in Florida and works to improve business and economic opportunities for them. To learn more about the Office of Supplier Diversity, call (850) 487-0915 or visit www.osd.dms.state.fl.us.
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