Supplier Diversity Events

Current Supplier Diversity Events:

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Past Supplier Diversity Events:

February 6, 2008 – PASSHE Supplier Diversity Summit. The First Annual PASSHE Supplier Diversity Summit was held on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, and was attended by more than one hundred participants representing more than forty diverse suppliers. All 14 PASSHE Universities participated, as well as other higher education institutions, corporate partners, and organizations such as WBENC, the Harrisburg Area Chamber of Commerce, The African American Chamber of Commerce, The Pennsylvania Department of General Services, and many others.

The goal of the summit was to highlight PASSHE’s ongoing efforts to expand its supplier base and remove barriers to entry that historically may have stood in the way of diverse suppliers’ participation. The keynote address was provided by Mr. Peter Speaks, Deputy Secretary of the Department of General Services and Advisor to the Governor on Diversity. Mr. Speaks outlined the opportunities now available as well as the continued work to expand those opportunities for diverse suppliers. Ms. Charmaine Clowney, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, provided opening remarks and hosted the event.

Mr. Fred Clark, President of Clark Resources; Ms. Jennifer Delay, President of JDK Catering; and Mr. Shiraz Sugarwala, President of Penn State Supply Company, each told the story of their success in business and contracting with PASSHE. This panel discussion provided an opportunity for the audience to understand better how and why some vendors are successful. The success stories served as a catalyst for audience participation, questions and discussion.

The event ended with an opportunity for vendors to interact with procurement directors, purchasing agents, and several Vice Presidents from PASSHE Universities. The networking session provided personal contact and a mechanism for vendors to understand the organizations.