Black Meetings & Tourism - PA Convention Center Hosts Diverse Vendor Outreach Program

Facilities Update
PA Convention Center Hosts Diverse Vendor Outreach Program
More than 70 people representing businesses owned by minorities, women or disadvantaged individuals attended a Diverse Vendor Outreach program recently hosted by the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The program provided information to local minority, women, disadvantaged, and small business enterprises about upcoming procurement and bid opportunities, the Center's diversity policies, and a new vendor information portal that has been added to the building's website. "It is important that we are a diverse and inclusionary entity because we should reflect the diverse region of the country where we operate," said John J. McNichol, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. McNichol noted that one of the program's goals was to increase the Center's outreach to ensure that more vendors are aware of the procurement opportunities available at the facility. "The entire Board (of Directors) is steadfast in its belief that a diverse environment, comprised of a diverse board, workforce, vendors, suppliers, and constituencies provides a better value for our customers and for all stakeholders," said Marian B. Tasco, a former Philadelphia City Councilwoman and a member of the Center's Board of Directors. Tasco and business leader Ryan N. Boyer co-chair the Board of Director's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Businesses attending the program were encouraged to register their companies on the Vendor Management Portal, which can be found on the Center's website at http://vendors.paconvention.com/vendors/register. By registering, companies will receive notification of new procurement opportunities in specific industry sectors that will allow them to compete individually or by seeking opportunities to partner with other firms. "Our diversity program is centered around the premise that we want those who have not typically had these opportunities to have a seat at the table," said V. Amanda Witts, Deputy General Counsel for the PCCA. Witts noted the Center has a record of awarding large and sizeable contracts to women and minority business enterprises, ranging from housekeeping services to installation of wiring when the Center expanded in 2011. "The entire Board of Directors has a strong and enduring commitment to diversity and inclusion and I think that shows in our outcomes," said Gregory J. Fox, Esq., Chairman of the Center's Board of Directors.

Facilities Update

PA Convention Center Hosts Diverse Vendor Outreach Program

More than 70 people representing businesses owned by minorities, women or disadvantaged individuals attended a Diverse Vendor Outreach program recently hosted by the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The program provided information to local minority, women, disadvantaged, and small business enterprises about upcoming procurement and bid opportunities, the Center's diversity policies, and a new vendor information portal that has been added to the building's website.

"It is important that we are a diverse and inclusionary entity because we should reflect the diverse region of the country where we operate," said John J. McNichol, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. McNichol noted that one of the program's goals was to increase the Center's outreach to ensure that more vendors are aware of the procurement opportunities available at the facility.

"The entire Board (of Directors) is steadfast in its belief that a diverse environment, comprised of a diverse board, workforce, vendors, suppliers, and constituencies provides a better value for our customers and for all stakeholders," said Marian B. Tasco, a former Philadelphia City Councilwoman and a member of the Center's Board of Directors. Tasco and business leader Ryan N. Boyer co-chair the Board of Director's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Businesses attending the program were encouraged to register their companies on the Vendor Management Portal, which can be found on the Center's website at http://vendors.paconvention.com/vendors/register.

By registering, companies will receive notification of new procurement opportunities in specific industry sectors that will allow them to compete individually or by seeking opportunities to partner with other firms.

"Our diversity program is centered around the premise that we want those who have not typically had these opportunities to have a seat at the table," said V. Amanda Witts, Deputy General Counsel for the PCCA. Witts noted the Center has a record of awarding large and sizeable contracts to women and minority business enterprises, ranging from housekeeping services to installation of wiring when the Center expanded in 2011.

"The entire Board of Directors has a strong and enduring commitment to diversity and inclusion and I think that shows in our outcomes," said Gregory J. Fox, Esq., Chairman of the Center's Board of Directors.