Procurement & Supplier Diversity Services, U.Va.

JMU Procurement Services would like to thank everyone that attended the 2009 SWaM Vendor Fair at the University’s Festival Conference Center.  It’s always nice to put a face with a name since many times we don’t actually have the chance to meet vendors in person.  The vendors that displayed had great networking opportunities throughout the day, and buyers were able to find new vendors and learn about new services. 

In the morning the vendors started out with a variety of professional development sessions.  Sessions included: Straight Talk for Business Owners: No Nonsense Approach for Doing BIG Business, The Most Critical Relationships in Your Professional Life, E-mail Marketing, & Advanced eVA For Vendors.  After the sessions, there was a luncheon for everyone along with an open microphone & an opportunity for agencies to speak to the vendors about doing business with them.

Throughout the afternoon at the fair, vendors made new contacts and had the opportunity to meet current customers.  The vendors commented that the fair was valuable to them & they enjoyed it very much.  Vendors not only met JMU departmental buyers but were able to network with UVA, Virginia Tech, VMI, State Farm, VDOT, Western State Hospital, Virginia State, Volvo/Mack, Nielsen Builders, Skanska, and many other agencies or large organizations.  We have already learned of a few success stories as a result of the fair.  We look forward to planning the next JMU SWaM Vendor Fair which will be held in the summer of 2011!