Worcester Colleges Reach Out to Local Businesses

Event Sponsored by Colleges of Worcester and UniverCity Partnership Will Introduce Business Owners, Vendors to Campus Opportunities

WORCESTER, Mass. – The purchasing directors of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, in cooperation with the Worcester UniverCity Partnership, will host "Bring Your Business to Campus!" on June 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom at the College of the Holy Cross. Admittance is free.

The event is one of the first initiatives under the auspices of the new UniverCity Partnership, designed to join together the resources of Worcester’s area colleges, the City of Worcester, and private business to generate local economic development.

Nicknamed a "reverse vendor fair," the colleges will have display tables set up allowing vendors to introduce themselves and hand out business cards. Business leaders throughout the region are encouraged to attend and meet college personnel who may be interested in the goods and services they can offer.

Purchasing agents and other purchasers at Worcester area campuses will describe how purchasing decisions are made and what goods and services they are looking for, such as educational and general supplies and technological services. Vendors will learn how to do business with the City of Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and colleges and universities in the area.

Armand W. Carriere, newly appointed executive director of the UniverCity Partnership, says this is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to make contact with area colleges.

"We would like local businesses to play a bigger part of economic activity for local vendors, to get to know what is available at local colleges and universities and to benefit from the opportunities they have to offer," he said. "It’s all about supporting local businesses."

Speakers at the event will include Councilor-at-large Michael Perotto, who will speak for the City, and Bob Flynn from W.B. Mason, who will talk about his experience with the Consortium Joint Purchasing Group, which establishes group purchase contracts for the financial benefit of the consortium’s members.

Representatives from the City Purchasing Department, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) will also be in attendance. Refreshments will be served.

An online registration form to attend the event is available at http://www.cowcworks.org/Biz2CampusRSVP.