The Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) hosted earlier this month the Small Business Empowerment Summit, a two-day conference to connect small, small diverse, and veteran-owned businesses with state contracting opportunities.
The goal was to give small businesses a better understanding of available resources to capital and procurement opportunities.
“The Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities has made significant progress in simplifying the process for businesses to work with the commonwealth, increasing the number of eligible businesses in its database, and raising awareness of opportunities, but we know that we must do more,” Kerry Kirkland, DGS deputy secretary of diversity, inclusion, and small business opportunities, said. “The Small Business Empowerment Summit was a next step in connecting small businesses to the resources they need to be successful in the contracting process.”
DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil made the opening remarks and hosted a networking reception for small business members to connect with DGS and procurement professionals.
Three panel discussions featuring dozens of moderators and participants were held the second day, addressing state contracting opportunities, access to capital, and small business in Pennsylvania.
A networking fair to showcase procurements and a luncheon featuring Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis also was held.