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NEWS RELEASE: FIRST ANNUAL BIG BEND MATCHMAKER BRINGS UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

Posted: 05/07/2008

Edited: 05/07/2008

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: LINDA MCDONALD, (850) 921-5266 WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 FIRST ANNUAL BIG BEND MATCHMAKER BRINGS UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ~Presented by DMS Office of Supplier Diversity and the Florida Public Service Commission ~ TALLAHASSEE—The Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) and the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) partnered to present the first annual Big Bend MatchMaker on May 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is Energizing Supplier Diversity through Communication: A Utilities and Telecommunications Initiative. Ittakes place at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for women- and minority-owned businesses,” said DMS Secretary Linda H. South. “By teaming with the Florida Public Service Commission, we are able to open the door to another economic venue for these vendors, that may seem overwhelming at times but this workshop will enlighten and encourage our vendors.” DMS Departmental Purchasing Director Tony Garcia will share information about doing business with the state, including the bidding and purchasing processes. Representatives from the OSD and the PSC, along with all event partners will participate in a panel discussion about the economic opportunities in the utilities and telecommunications industries. “Utilities and telecommunications are integral to Florida’s infrastructure and that opens opportunities for other vendors,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Industry leaders come together with state agencies, universities and local government at Big Bend MatchMaker to help women and minority business owners identify and develop business relationships.” At the Big Bend MatchMaker, vendors 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 and at the Big Bend MatchMaker, contracts will be awarded on-site. “The Big Bend MatchMaker brings vendors and spenders together as the State of Florida works to advance minority- and women-owned businesses in these specialized industries,” said OSD Director Torey L. Alston. “We further that connection in the afternoon with one-on-one sessions for minority business enterprises with government and corporate buyers.” The Office of Supplier Diversity certifies 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: LINDA MCDONALD, (850) 921-5266

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008

FIRST ANNUAL BIG BEND MATCHMAKER BRINGS UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

~Presented by DMS Office of Supplier Diversity and the Florida Public Service Commission ~

TALLAHASSEE—The Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) and the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) partnered to present the first annual Big Bend MatchMaker on May 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is Energizing Supplier Diversity through Communication: A Utilities and Telecommunications Initiative. Ittakes place at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee.

“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for women- and minority-owned businesses,” said DMS Secretary Linda H. South. “By teaming with the Florida Public Service Commission, we are able to open the door to another economic venue for these vendors, that may seem overwhelming at times but this workshop will enlighten and encourage our vendors.”

DMS Departmental Purchasing Director Tony Garcia will share information about doing business with the state, including the bidding and purchasing processes. Representatives from the OSD and the PSC, along with all event partners will participate in a panel discussion about the economic opportunities in the utilities and telecommunications industries.

“Utilities and telecommunications are integral to Florida’s infrastructure and that opens opportunities for other vendors,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Industry leaders come together with state agencies, universities and local government at Big Bend MatchMaker to help women and minority business owners identify and develop business relationships.”

At the Big Bend MatchMaker, vendors 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 and at the Big Bend MatchMaker, contracts will be awarded on-site.

“The Big Bend MatchMaker brings vendors and spenders together as the State of Florida works to advance minority- and women-owned businesses in these specialized industries,” said OSD Director Torey L. Alston. “We further that connection in the afternoon with one-on-one sessions for minority business enterprises with government and corporate buyers.”

The Office of Supplier Diversity certifies 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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Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD)

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