Welcome to the 2019 Northern Illinois University Diverse Supplier Networking Fair Registration site. We are excited to have you as part of this important event. The NIU Diverse Supplier Networking Fair will bring together buyers (procurement officials and purchasing representatives) and sellers (small and/or diverse owned businesses) to create connections and enhance support for small and diverse owned businesses. Diverse owned businesses include minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and small businesses. This event is free and open to the public.
Buyers and Sellers can register as:
1.) An exhibitor to display your purchasing needs or information about your business, products and services.
AND/OR
2.) As an attendee to interact with diverse suppliers and/or learn more about doing business with state entities, like NIU, and becoming Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certified.
All who attend will benefit from networking opportunities and conference sessions that explain how to do business with NIU and how to become a registered diverse supplier.
Some of the benefits of the Fair include:
- Networking opportunities with NIU departments and divisions, other Illinois public universities, community colleges, and Prime Vendors
- Vendor workshops
- Informational sessions about the BEP certification process and Procurement Technical Assistance.
Attendees Include:
· Purchasers or purchasing representatives from NIU, other Illinois public universities, community colleges, and Prime Vendors.
· Certified diverse suppliers.
· Small and/or diverse business owners who want to learn more about doing business with NIU.
· Small and/or diverse business owners who want to become certified as a small and/or diverse supplier.
· All those interested in learning more the Business Enterprise Program (BEP).
Attendees should come prepared to:
ü Learn about and make connections with diverse suppliers.
ü Network with purchasers and procurement representatives from various state agencies, high education institutions, community colleges and other procurement representatives.
ü Network with fellow suppliers.
ü Attend sessions and learn more about doing business with NIU.
ü Attend sessions and learn how to become a certified small and/or diverse supplier.
Exhibitors Include:
· Buyers, Purchasing and Procurement Representatives
· Prime Vendors
· Small and/or Diverse Business Owners
All Exhibitors will be provided with:
ü 1 table
ü two chairs
ü box lunch
ü free parking
ü wireless internet connections.
Exhibitors who are small businesses and/or diverse owned businesses are encouraged to bring:
ü Table Coverings
ü Business Cards
ü Product Samples
ü Information about your business and services provided
Exhibitors who represent state procurement and/or purchasing entities are encouraged to bring:
ü Table Covering
ü Business Cards
ü Organization handouts
ü Giveaways
ü Forecasted list of procurement opportunities
Have additional questions? Contact Karen Baker at klbaker@niu.edu or 815-753-6017
NIU Faculty, Staff & Students: Use your NIU email address to sign in. You will have to create a password and profile. Select "No, I have not registered on your site before" and proceed to create an account.