The Illinois Department of Central Management Services will host the fifth State of Illinois Vendor Summit on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, the agency announced.
The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is designed to help business owners learn how to do business with State of Illinois agencies and state universities.
Under the theme "The Power of Five: Smarter Procurement Starts Here," the summit will connect businesses with procurement experts, representatives from state agencies and potential business partners. Organizers say it will offer practical information about contracting opportunities and the state procurement process.
"The State of Illinois Vendor Summit reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to State contracting opportunities and helping businesses understand how to compete for State business," said CMS Director Raven A. DeVaughn. "As we celebrate the fifth year of this event, we look forward to bringing businesses together in Springfield to build connections, share knowledge, and strengthen the partnerships that support a diverse and competitive vendor community."
Attendees will hear from subject matter experts about upcoming contracting opportunities, navigating procurement requirements and accessing resources to help businesses compete for state contracts. Panel discussions and breakout sessions will cover procurement topics, partnerships and strategies for engaging with the state.
The summit is part of the state's broader efforts to expand its vendor pool and promote equitable access to contracting opportunities, CMS said.
How to register
For more information and to register, visit cms.illinois.gov/business/procurement/vendor-summit.html.
Source: the original release