Another Vitual Vendor Fair Wraps Up

LSU Athletics Supplier Diversity Committee teamed up once again with LSU Procurement’s Supplier Diversity Program and hosted a virtual vendor fair on July 29th with Louisiana’s Small Business Development Center (LASBDC) of Greater New Orleans and Bayou Region. This event had a total of 72 registrants- all eager vendors who are ready to tap into the opportunities that LSU Athletics has to offer. With 7 center across the state, the LASBDC, who is funded by Xavier University and supported by business consultant Erik Waters, offers a number of services to members. Through small business consulting, they have 3 areas of focus: (1) offer business services and trainings including marketing and branding, (2) help small businesses find money to keep their businesses operational, and (3) assist in making connections with lenders who can assist in improving credit scores and finding access to loans.

Participants had great questions and were motivated to connect with LSU Athletics. Matt LaBorde walked members through the process of supplier registration and offered a number of upcoming procurement opportunites to engage with LSU Athletics. “We are always looking for ways to improve our diversity spend,” but further explained that, “we need to have you register your business in Workday so that you can learn about the opportunties available to your business.” “We believe that these vendor fairs are a meaningful way to reach out to our community and state, ultimately providing business opportunities to minority-owned, women- owned, and other smaller operations,” said Shelly Mullenix, who is assiting with supplier diversity initiatives.

Stay tuned for LSU Athletics’ next opportunity to host a virtual vendor fair to support the efforts of the Supplier Diversity Initiative!