Building connections, leveraging resources at annual Towson University Vendor Fair

Small businesses play vital roles in the economic growth and development of the communities Towson University serves. Supporting them is important because it helps TU fulfill its public-facing mission and advances strategies that promote and support local purchasing.

Co-hosted by the Office of Partnerships and Outreach and the Procurement Department, the annual Vendor Fair is an opportunity for those making purchasing decisions at TU and in the community to build relationships and explore products and services from small, minority, veteran and women-owned businesses from across greater Baltimore.

“Events like this are perfect [to make connections], because we’re able to see them face to face and get a better understanding of what they do,” said Nneka Gray, a senior purchasing agent for for Towson University. “I’ve been able to connect with some new vendors to see how they can better serve Towson University and and add to make recommendations for future contracts and services. It’s awesome to have these events and to be able to participate.”

The event kicked off with a panel discussion focused on how small businesses can build connections, leverage resources and connect with large anchor institutions like Towson University and University of Maryland, Baltimore, which sponsored the panel.

Hyacinth Tucker, a U.S. Army veteran, owns and operates The Laundry Basket, was a featured panelist. Her company provides custom, personal and commercial laundry services. As a certified small business owner, Tucker understands that certifications can provide access.

“Certifications have helped my business because it’s all about access. We work with so many amazing businesses and institutions because of those certifications. It is so important for us to support small business. They are the lifeline and the blood behind our cities,” said Tucker.

She says that if small, local businesses want to expand they should take advantage of opportunities like the Vendor Fair.

“If you are looking to grow, you have to be in the room. You have to take advantage of opportunities like this to meet people, to be visible, and to get practice pitching yourself and talking about your business,” she said.

This year’s Vendor Fair expanded to include 30 certified vendors, seven state agencies and resource organizations, and nine university and high school procurement teams. Hundreds of representatives from Towson University and other universities, public school systems and local and state government entities, along with small businesses owners and others interested in connecting with certified vendors and local procurement teams attended.

Keith Gagnon, assistant vice president for strategic sourcing and acquisition services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, said it was a day for building relationships.

“I gained a whole variety of contacts and companies that we can deal with to help find solutions to needs. It’s not just about today. The homework for me is seeing what businesses are selling and what we need to buy. For the businesses, it’s who’s buying what they want to sell,” said Gagnon.

During the Vendor Fair, four small businesses started their Certified Small Business (CSB) applications on site with the help of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs and eMaryland Marketplace Advantage, the state’s online procurement platform.

“When, when you buy from a small local business that money stays in the community. What you pay them, they’re paying other vendors,” added Gagnon.