Towson University will hold its first vendor fair on June 12, from 1鈥�4:30 p.m., in the University Union. The Towson University Vendor Fair is an opportunity for campus and other local affiliate program managers and procurement representatives to explore products and services, with a focus on local, small and minority- and women-owned businesses. Participating vendors have the benefit of learning about upcoming contracting opportunities.

鈥淎s an anchor institution, we understand our vital role in the economic growth and development of the community around us,鈥� says Chanel Franze, manager of business diversity and supplier inclusion in the Office of Procurement. 鈥淏y hosting this vendor fair, local, small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses can connect with those making purchasing decisions at 撸先生 and in the community to build relationships and hopefully secure some contracts.鈥�

The event allows vendors to get their products and services in front of representatives from 撸先生, University System of Maryland universities and local government agencies.

Businesses who have at least one certification (SBR, VSBE and/or MBE) should  

For businesses that do not have a certification and would like to apply for one, 撸先生 is offering a lunch and panel discussion to provide strategies to apply for those certifications and work with state agencies and anchor institutions, like Towson University. .

鈥淲e hope the vendors in our community will join us at the vendor fair to build their networks and encourage our 撸先生 community to connect with and consider these vendors the next time they make a purchase,鈥� says Ardys Russakis, director of business engagement and operations in the office of Strategic Partnerships & Applied Research at 撸先生. 鈥淥pportunities like these help us connect with community organizations and diversify overall procurement activities.鈥�

For more information about the vendor fair and business diversity and supplier inclusion, click here or email .

For media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at .

About Towson University

Towson University is Maryland鈥檚 university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, 撸先生 is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, 撸先生鈥檚 momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and 200 bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast鈥檚 cultural and economic epicenters, 撸先生 is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. 撸先生 meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.鈥�