SW Michigan PTAC Presents ‘Meet the Buyers’ Event March 8 | News

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a free ‘Meet the Buyers’ event on Thursday, March 8, from 1-5 p.m. at the Fetzer Center on the campus of Western Michigan University.

The event is intended to serve as a matchmaking and training event for businesses looking to sell products or services to regional and state governmental entities. Attendees will have a chance to meet and network with buyers from the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Portage. Additionally, attendees will have an opportunity to connect with purchasing representatives from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, MDOT, the State of Michigan Department of Management and Budget, the Kalamazoo County Road Commission, and Kalamazoo County.

“This event is a great opportunity for vendors in this region to talk with area purchasers to understand what and how they buy goods and services,” said Jan Campbell, program manager of SW Michigan PTAC. “We hope this knowledge will give vendors a competitive edge.”

In addition to the networking component of the event, attendees will hear two training presentations: “Contracting 101 with the State of Michigan” and “Elements of a Quality Proposal.”

“I appreciate the opportunity for the City of Kalamazoo to participate in the Meet the Buyer event; it helps us to provide personal contact with people who want to do business with the City,” said Nick Lam, purchasing director for the City of Kalamazoo. “I hope it also helps to eliminate any mystery about how to participate in the City's contracting process.”

Pre-registration is required for this free event and each interested participant must register individually at http://tinyurl.com/ptaclclevent, using PTAC code: KZOO.  For more information, contact Jan Campbell at (269) 381-2977, ext.3243 or jcampbell@kazoochamber.com.

During 2011, PTAC clients won $67,310,000 in government contracts creating/retaining 1,346 jobs. PTACs help to ensure a broad base of capable suppliers which increases competition and supports quality products and services at lower costs to taxpayers.  The mission of the PTAC is to enhance national defense and economic development in the State of Michigan by assisting Michigan businesses to bid and perform on federal, state and local government contracts.