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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.

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Why Should I Attend?

The University of Illinois procures a variety of goods and services and it is our goal to increase our pool of minority and female businesses. We realize the importance of supplier diversity in our purchasing process and we want to help you understand how to business with us.

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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.

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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.

Parking

Please park in Lot C-located at the intersection of Roosevelt and Morgan.

Parking tickets will be validated at the registration booth at the end of the conference.

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Program Schedule

Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker
Gloria Castillo
President, Chicago United

Matchmaking Session
10:00 - Noon p.m.

Lunch & Vendor Recognition
Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Workshops (Session I)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Workshops (Session II)
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

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Workshop & Panel Discussion

The Conference will feature the following workshops:

Access to Capital

This session will provide detailed information on the services and/or resources that help minority and female businesses identify and connect with capital resources. Information provided in this workshop will help vendors prepare and submit required documents when applying for financial assistance for their business. Attending this workshop will provide you an opportunity to ask the experts how to Access Capital and find solutions for all your financing needs.

Utilizing Procurement Resources

This session will provide useful information on green purchasing including policy, formulation, strategy, and principles. The workshop will focus on various sustainable purchasing trends and potential opportunities for MAFBE firms. The workshop will be facilitated by the University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Sustainability & Purchasing Division, City of Chicago and the Delta Institute.

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 Procurement Bulletin, Regulatory Requirements, RFP and Sealed Bid Process, Evaluation Process and Performance. The workshop will be facilitated by the Purchasing Office of the University of Illinois Chicago, Urbana and Springfield campuses.

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Matchmaking Sessions

The matchmaking session helps form relationships and “Make the Connection” between the University of Illinois and the vendor community. It also provides vendors an opportunity to do face to face marketing with representatives from the University of Illinois, State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Cook County, and other public and private universities. Each exhibitor will provide information on the goods or services they purchase. Attending the Matchmaking Session will provide an opportunity for all attendees to network and build lasting relationships.

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Contact Information

Please contact Janice R. Thomas at (312) 413-2892 or via e-mail at obfsmafbe1@uillinois.edu with any questions.

 

The University of Illinois MAFBE Conference will take place on June 10, 2009 at the UIC Forum. This year’s theme Making the Connection 2009 is focused on connecting the University’s buying departments with qualified businesses. The goal of the conference is to build relationships with MAFBE firms in order to enhance our supplier diversity initiatives.

The conference Matchmaking Session will feature exhibitors from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Urbana, and Springfield campuses.  Also, participating in the matchmaking session will be representatives from other public and private universities including local government entities. The Matchmaking Session will provide an opportunity for business owners to connect and market their products and/or services to the buying departments.

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