25th Annual UF Vendor Fair, Small Businesses Networking Opportunity

By: Laura Labovitz

Gainesville’s many small business owners have the opportunity to register and attend the 25th annual UF Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations Vendor Opportunity Fair.

On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, the all-day fair will provide educational workshops and a vendor fair for small businesses to learn new skills and gain city-wide connections. Minority and women-owned businesses are a focal point of the event.

“This event is really designed to give participants a full view of the opportunities that exist with doing business with UF,  whether directly with us, or with some of our partners and other agencies throughout the state,” said the Director of UF’s Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations department, Kathey Porter. “If small businesses are interested in exhibiting, this is a great opportunity to showcase their business and network with agencies, larger businesses and other businesses that will be in attendance.”

After a small business breakfast, the fair will breakout into sessions and workshops led by expert speakers on topics and resources surrounding small business success. Later in the day, there will be a full vendor fair.

Porter explained that small business owners will enjoy the benefit of having “direct contact with decision makers that have access to real opportunities” in Gainesville. The yearly event is a meeting place for locals to gather vital networking partners and ideas for business growth and sustainability.

“It is a full day, but our plan is to make every moment worth the small business participant’s while to attend,” Porter said.

Attendance registration for the fair opens in January.

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