CONTACT
- Averyl Bailey: 202.263.2800
- Christopher Epps: 202.263.2822
- media@cbcfinc.org
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) in coordination with CBCF Board Chair Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee will host the 2017 Meet and Match Procurement Forum on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the CBCF’s 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
“One of the greatest challenges facing small businesses is their ability to win lucrative contracts,” said Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee. “Unfortunately, even talented entrepreneurs cannot overcome the barrier of getting past gatekeepers in order to present their business plans to federal procurement officers and buyers for Fortune 500 companies.”
This Forum provides small business owners with access to top corporate and federal buyers who are seeking to partner with small businesses and entrepreneurs — the most prolific employers in the United States.
Minority businesses of all kinds, including small, veteran owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUB Zone, and women-owned businesses, will market their products and services to public and private procurement officers and contract managers. During the event, vendors and suppliers will learn how their products and services can offer competitive advantages in domestic and international markets.
Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet representatives from several organizations. Past participants include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, KPMG, TRI-COR Industries, IBM, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Halliburton, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Texas Instruments, BP, Shell, Major League Baseball, and NTT Data. The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and State; the Consumer Protection Bureau; Office of Personnel Management; George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston; the Port of Houston; and many other government agencies have also participated.
Panelists at the Meet and Match Procurement Forum will highlight the steps being taken to ensure businesses from historically under-represented populations are afforded equal opportunities to compete for contracts as are prime or subcontractors.
Confirmed panelists include:
- Dr. Mary Haley, Director, Office of Small Business, U.S. Air Force
- Emmet Vaughn, Director, Office of Diverse Business Empowerment, Exelon
- Elizabeth El-Nattar, CEO, TRI-COR Industries, Inc.
- Gloria Pualani, Corporate Director, Global Supplier Diversity/Government Relations, Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Jennifer Chronis, Director, DOD – Amazon Web Services Public Sector
- Teresa Macalolooy, CEO, Macalogic
Participants must register at cbcfinc.org/ALC before registering for the Procurement Forum at cbcfinc.org/alcmeetmatch. For assistance or more information, contact Nadia Monroe at nmonroe@cbcfinc.org.
ABOUT THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
The Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. The conference features nearly 100 public policy forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, and more. Signature events and features include the National Town Hall, Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts, Community Breakfast and Health Fair, Gospel Extravaganza, Black Party, Prayer Breakfast, Exhibit Showcase, and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner.
This year’s theme, “And Still I Rise,” reflects a legacy of resilience that emphasizes the collective strength of the black community to rise above continued racial inequalities. Sign up to receive the e-newsletter and follow the CBCF on social media using hashtag, #CBCFALC17 for updates.
ABOUT THE CBCF
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), established in 1976, is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute, committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.
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