When it comes to procurement decisions, Penn has placed a deliberate focus on local and diverse suppliers for decades. In recent years, the University’s local and diverse purchasing numbers have each topped $100 million, creating a major economic impact on the city.

On Thursday, May 18, at the first Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo, the University will celebrate its inclusive suppliers, as well as buyers, and the local agencies and organizations that have been instrumental in identifying and building relationships with these businesses. Faculty and staff, as well as neighborhood community members and groups, will be participating.

“It’s important to showcase Penn’s strategic emphasis on economic inclusion and celebrate the impact of Penn’s commitment to diversity,” says Penn’s Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Joann Mitchell. “Even as we reflect on all that already has been accomplished, we are working to increase Penn’s engagement with diverse and local businesses in our neighborhood and the region. In so doing, we become an ever stronger university because when our community rises, we all rise.”

The day’s events, hosted by the offices of the President, Executive Vice President, Government and Community Affairs, and Purchasing Services, will begin with a ticketed forum at 11 a.m. in College Hall. A panel discussion, moderated by Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, will feature local business and community leaders, including those from Bon Appetit, the Enterprise Center, Telrose Corp., A Pomerantz and Company, and Wash Cycle Laundry. Following the discussion, an outdoor expo on College Green will run until 2 p.m.

More than 40 of Penn’s local and diversity suppliers—from those that specialize in catering to scientific materials, and even information technology—will be on hand at the expo. The resources the University maintains for economic inclusion will also be featured, such as the Wharton Small Business Development Center, the University City District, and several diverse chambers of commerce groups.

“Part of the Penn Compact and its strategic goals for the University is ‘inclusion,’” says Marie Witt, vice president for the Business Services Division. “We’re raising the awareness both of the resources and suppliers that are available, enabling the community to learn more about our efforts.”

Mark Mills, executive director of Purchasing Services, adds that although Penn has created easily accessible online tools to find diverse and local suppliers, having this face-to-face, personal interaction is key.

“For small suppliers, perhaps it’s a West Philadelphia print shop, the size and complexity of Penn present a challenge,” explains Mills. “By hosting this expo, we can introduce suppliers to Penn purchasers. So when they go back to do their buying activity, faculty and staff can have in mind the card they picked up at the expo or the person they learned about. The hope is that when they go to buy, they are more likely to think about local and diverse purchasing.”

The purpose for inclusive purchasing is twofold, explains Witt: “These businesses are able to prosper and gain knowledge and insight from the institution, and we also benefit as well by increasing the quality and the value of the products we’re purchasing.”

The expo, with a main goal of raising education and awareness, is sure to provide opportunities for unique collaboration between exhibitors and attendees alike.

“A byproduct is whenever you bring these groups together, suppliers and buyers, of people who run these programs, of people who participate, there’s such a synergy and it’s usually where you end up with great ideas,” says Witt. “People from different industries talking about what they do and how they would like to progress, those conversations generate some really positive outcomes.”