MAFBE 2008 Conference - Making the Connection

Mission & Vision

The mission of the University of Illinois Minority and Female Business Enterprise Program (MAFBE) is to provide access to procurement opportunities by creating an equitable and competitive business environment while stimulating the growth and development of businesses owned by minorities, females and persons with disabilities.

The vision of the University of Illinois MAFBE Program is to become the leader in higher education through the implementation of initiatives that optimize the participation of minority, female and persons with disabilities businesses in the procurement process.

Why Should I Attend?

The University of Illinois has contracting opportunities and it is our goal to increase our pool of qualified vendors. We realize the importance of supplier diversity in our purchasing process and we want to help you understand how to do business with us. This conference will also have representation from the city, state, county, and other public and private universities.

Who Should Attend?

Owners of minority, female, and persons with disabilities owned businesses including but not limited to architectural, engineering, construction, advertising, IT, accounting, legal, healthcare, office supplies, medical supplies, manufacture/retail, all professional and artistic services.

Travel Directions

The UIC Forum is located at the Halsted/Roosevelt Road intersection.

From north: Take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) to the Taylor Street-Roosevelt Road exit. Take Roosevelt Road west to Halsted Street.

From south: Take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and exit at Roosevelt Road. Turn west on Roosevelt Road to Halsted Street.

From east: Take Roosevelt Road west to Halsted Street.

From west: Take the (I-290) Eisenhower Expressway east to the Racine Avenue exit. Turn south on Racine Avenue to Roosevelt Road. Turn east on Roosevelt Road to Halsted Street.

By train: Take the CTA Blue Line to the UICHalsted station. Take the Halsted Street bus southbound to Roosevelt Road.

Program Schedule

8:30am - 9:30am
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:30am - 10:15am
Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting

10:30am - 12pm
Breakout Sessions:
   - Vendor Matchmaking Sessions
   - Workshops:
      A) Access to Capital
      B) Utilizing Procurement Resources
      C) Doing Business with the University of Illinois

12:15pm – 1:30pm
Lunch
Keynote Speaker: Debra Jennings-Johnson
                           Director, Supplier Diversity
                           BP America

1:30pm – 3:00pm
Breakout Sessions:
   - Vendor Matchmaking Sessions
   - Workshops:
      A) Access to Capital
      B) Utilizing Procurement Resources
      C) Doing Business with the University of Illinois

3:15pm – 5:00pm
Networking Reception

Workshop & Panel Discussion

The Conference will feature the following workshops: Access to Capital This session will provide detail information on the services and/or resources that help minority and female businesses identify and connect with capital resources. You will be given information that will help you prepare and submit required documents when applying for financial assistance. Attending this session will provide you an opportunity to as the experts how to Access Capital.

Utilizing Procurement Resources This session will provide information on the goods and services purchased by the public and private procurement agencies including the State of Illinois (Central Management Services, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities and Illinois Department of Transportation) City of Chicago, County of Cook and University of Chicago. This session will also help you understand their procurement process and supplier diversity goals. You will also be provided information on how to access procurement opportunities.

Understanding University of Illinois Purchasing This session will enhance your understanding of the University of Illinois purchasing process. Topics to be covered include: Illinois Higher Education Bulletin, Regulatory Requirements, RFP and Seal Bid Process, Evaluation Process and Performance. The workshop will be facilitated by the Purchasing Offices of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Urbana and Springfield Campuses.

Matchmaking Sessions

The focus of the matchmaking session is to help form relationships and “Make the Connection” between the University of Illinois and the vendor community. The Matchmaking Sessions will feature University departments including Purchasing from the University of Illinois Chicago, Urbana and Springfield campuses.

Additional exhibitors include the University of Chicago, City of Chicago, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities, State of Illinois and many more. Each exhibitor will provide information on the goods or services they purchase. It will also provide an opportunity for businesses to market their product/services to the departments and network.

Contact Information

Please contact Janice R. Thomas at (312) 413-2892 or via e-mail at thomasj1@uillinois.edu with any questions.

Pictures

Please click on the titles below to open the slideshows:

Pictues Set 1

Pictures Set 2