Event features “reverse” trade show with more than 150 exhibitors
Jackson, Mississippi (April 10, 2009) – On May 5-6, 2009, the Mississippi Business and Procurement Opportunities Conference/Trade Show will be held at the Jackson Convention Complex at 105 E. Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to champion Mississippi’s existing businesses and cultivate up-and-coming entrepreneurs, the Mississippi Business and Procurement Opportunities Conference/Trade Show is designed for all businesses seeking opportunities with government agencies, universities and colleges, and private sector entities,” said Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. “The event will also offer information and guidance to businesses about new projects that will be generated by the federal economic stimulus package.”
The first day of the event highlights the procurement process and available opportunities through workshops. Topics for the breakout sessions range from navigating the federal procurement maze and doing business with local governments to contract compliance and procurement opportunities with the gaming industry. The Honorable Phil Bryant, Mississippi’s lieutenant governor, and Dr. Robert Wallace, founder and president of BithGroup Technologies of Baltimore, are among the keynote speakers.
The second day features a “reverse” trade show where more than 150 government, college/university and commercial exhibitors will be on hand to learn about attendees’ products and services. Leland Speed, chairman of EastGroup Properties and Parkway Properties, is one of the featured speakers for the day.
Swoope explained, “This trade show will be unique, because the entities represented at each exhibitor booth will be learning about the products and services the conference participants have to offer their organizations instead of trying to ’sell’ to conference-goers like most trade shows. This is an ideal venue for small businesses to launch relationships with new customers.”
The conference is sponsored by the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Contract Procurement Center Network and the Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing and Property Agents.
For more information or to register, visit www.mscpc.com or call MDA at 601.359.3448.
About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA’s website at www.mississippi.org.