Procurement Month at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff concluded with the UAPB second annual Small & Minority Business Expo.
Held at the UAPB STEM Conference Center, the event drew a diverse crowd, including university faculty and staff, more than 18 local and state businesses, Arkansas agencies, and numerous current and potential vendors.
“The expo’s success was marked by the sharing of procurement process best practices, which empowered participants with the knowledge of how to engage better with university departments and vendors,” according to a news release.
This year’s theme was “Unmasking the World of Procurement.” The event included a proclamation by Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington to recognize its significance as a community event.
In addition to vendor display tables, vendor applications were available, encouraging small businesses to engage with the university.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The UAPB Office of Procurement hosted the event, led by Procurement Director Alisha Lewis, who also shared her insights as a speaker.
Patricia Cole, UAPB fiscal support manager, opened the program, followed by UAPB speakers Terrell Langley, facilities director, and Sheri Sipes, assistant director of facilities. JaQuita Stewart presented a PowerPoint overview of Payment Works.
Non-UAPB speakers include Esperanza Massana, director of Minority and Women-Owen Business Enterprise from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; Brandi Schroeder, outreach and policy manager from the Office of State Procurement; and Velena McRae, senior stakeholder liaison communications and liaison outreach from the Internal Revenue Service.
UAPB extended thanks to the participants, businesses, and agencies, including:
Arkansas APEX Accelerator, Little Rock, thutley@uada.edu.
Art Advertising Inc., Jonesboro, artadvertising.com.
Choice Promotions Little Rock, choicepromotions1@gmail.com.
C Jones Electric LLC Pine Bluff, carljoneselectric.com.
Indigo Blue Coffee Shop Pine Bluff, manager@indigobluepba.com.
Jab Trucking and Logistics, LLC, Pine Bluff, jabtruckingandlogistics@gmail.com.
Janitorial Doc, Little Rock, ap@jandocs.com.
Master Floor Cleaning & Janitorial Services Inc., Pine Bluff, newwayout2008@gmail.com.
Mchaul it Transport, Conway, info@mchaul.com.
Montgomery and Assoc. Insurance LLC., North Little Rock, ceo@montgomeryandassociatesinc.org.
Nelson Intelligence Solutions, Little Rock, ckleinhofs@nelsonintelligencesolutions.com.
OBOSO Healthcare, LLC, Benton, AR, obosohealthcare@gmail.com.
Renaissance Real Estate & Development, LLC, jglennsmith40@gmail.com.
Saras Learning, saraslearning01@gmail.com.
Smackey’s Catering Maumelle, smackeysbbq@gmail.com.
T and S Delivery LLC, support@tandsdeliveryllc.com.
The Computer Station, Pine Bluff, jeffcollins@collinsent.com.
UpSquad, Fayetteville, derrick@upspquad.com.