Supplier diversity fair opens new doors for Penn State researchers

Jonathan McVerry Donning a tie-dye lab coat, Steve Gantman of DOT Scientific, speaks to attendees at Penn State's first Research Supplier Fair.

University Park, Pa. -- Researchers from numerous Penn State labs and offices filed into the Founders Lounge at the Bryce Jordan Center on Tuesday for the University's first Grant Research Supplier Fair.

The fair was held to introduce minority- and women-owned businesses to Penn State researchers who are looking to fulfill research objectives and grant requirements. Fourteen diverse suppliers set up tables and discussed their services and products with the over 50 attendees.

The event's focus was geared toward grant researchers in the scientific community. But according to event organizer and Penn State's supplier diversity manager Duane Bullock, academic offices were not the only ones in attendance.

"We had purchasing departments from Housing & Food Services, the Alumni Center, the Applied Research Lab, among others," he said. "Several suppliers were able to schedule future meetings with potential customers here at Penn State and that's always a positive thing."

Supplier Tom Garcia, vice president of Garcia Marketing, in Conway, said meeting purchasers face-to-face is a great way to do business. "We've worked with Penn State in the past and we're looking to expand. This fair is a good opportunity to do that," he added.

Garcia, whose company specializes in audio-visual equipment and photographic supplies, used the opportunity to expose his business to potential customers from the University and made important networking connections for his company's future expansion.

The supplier fair is a part of the Finance & Business Fostering Diversity Key Initiative. Bullock said that planning for future fairs has begun and feedback from Tuesday's fair will be used in that planning process.

"It was a good show all in all," he said. "It's nice to get these folks together and drum up some opportunities for them to do business."