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Community Development > Supplier Diversity > Supplier Diversity Fair

Supplier Diversity Fair

Image says "City of Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair" and includes graphics of a chef, construction worker, and women in a business professional dress.

The City of Cambridge supports supplier diversity as a way for diverse businesses (minority-owned / LGBTQ+ owned / disability-owned / veteran-owned / woman-owned) to grow and succeed. Obtaining contracts can help diverse businesses access new markets, gain new customers, and build relationships with large buyers.

Responding to bids and winning contracts can be complicated for any business and diverse businesses often experience challenges in key areas including finances, certification, and marketing. To address this, we have designed a series annual of events to help prepare diverse businesses to respond to bids and win contracts.

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, MIT and CDD will host a Supplier Diversity Fair with buyers from MIT, the City of Cambridge, Harvard University, MBTA, Cambridge Health Alliance, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, and others. The goal is to promote diverse businesses and build relationships between the procurement agents and these businesses. Large buyers seek diverse businesses providing the following goods and services:

  • Facilities & Janitorial
  • Landscaping & Snow removal
  • Catering
  • Printing & Graphic Design
  • Consulting (IT, marketing, event planning, specialized services, etc.)

The City of Cambridge invites MWBEs, other diverse businesses, and companies/large institutions who purchase goods and services to participate in the supplier diversity vendor fair. Buyers benefit from a diverse supplier pool because it promotes competition which can reduce costs while improving quality. 

This event offers free registration to diverse business owners, and you do not have to be certified to participate. Here are the details.

2024 Supplier Diversity Fair Information

  • Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
  • Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. fair, 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. networking 
  • Location: MIT’s Walker Memorial, 142 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA

 

Click here to register as a diverse business (minority-owned / LGBTQ+ owned / disability-owned / veteran-owned / woman-owned

Click here to register as a company or large institution that buys goods and services

Diverse businesses are encouraged to sign up to become a vendor with the City of Cambridge’s Purchasing Department.Click here to sign up. 

Cambridge diverse businesses are encouraged to add their business to the Cambridge Diversity Directory. Click here to add your business. 

Additional events include:

Knowing Your Capabilities - Supplier Diversity Workshop for Small Business

  • Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 - 7:30  p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Do you have a simple, clear statement about what your business does well? This workshop will help you create one. You'll learn how to explain what your business offers to customers. An expert will show you how to describe your business, who your customers are, and what makes you better than others. You'll learn how to write your own 'Capabilities Statement'. This is a useful tool to give to possible customers at the Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair. It shows what your business does and can help you when you talk to people about your business in the future. This workshop is led by Victoria Downes from the Brand to Profits Consulting Group.
  • Registration is required. Please contact Allyson Allen at aallen@cambridgema.gov if you need assistance with registration. 

Pitch Perfect - Supplier Diversity Workshop for Small Business

  • Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 - 7:30  p.m.
  • Location: Cambridge Public Library - Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St., Cambridge.
  • Are you prepared to 'pitch' your business to possible customers? We can help you! In this in-person workshop, you'll learn how to tell a great story about your business and what it offers. We'll show you how to create a strong presentation using facts and pictures. You'll also get better at explaining your products or services to possible customers. We'll teach you how to change your presentation for different people, so your message is always clear. This workshop is led by Victoria Downes from the Brand to Profits Consulting Group. 

  • Registration is required. Please contact Allyson Allen at aallen@cambridgema.gov if you need assistance with registration. 

 

For more information

For more information on the Supplier Diversity Fair, please contact Allyson Allen at 617/349-9122 or aallen@cambridgema.gov or Tyrone Fells at 617/349-7223 or tfells@cambridgema.gov. 

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