About this Event
Welcome to the 2025 City of Milwaukee Vendor Fair!
Come join us at BMO Tower on 790 N Water for a day full of connections. This in person event is a great opportunity to grow your local businesses, discovering upcoming contracts. Where else can you connect with contracting deparments and access to valuable workshops? Don't miss out on this fantastic event, hosted by the Department of City Development and the Department of Administration.
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration
Info: Check in and help yourself to light refreshments.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Opening Remarks
Info: Opening remarks from: Mayor Cavalier Johnson- City of Milwaukee, Council President José Pérez; Chief Impact Officer, Bernadette Karanja, Department of Administration; and City Purchasing Director Rhonda Kelsey- Purchasing Division.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Open Networking w/ Departments & Vendors
Info: Speak with staff from the Department of Administration; City of Milwaukee Purchasing Division; Department of City Development; Department of Neighborhood Services; Department of Public Works; and more regarding contracting opportunities. Also, connect with like-minded business owners.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Session 1: Certification - City & County Programs
Info: Hosted by the City of Milwaukee and the County of Milwaukee’s Office of Economic Inclusion.
This workshop consists of an overview of the City’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification. The County of Milwaukee will provide insight to the TBE, DBE, and ACDBE certifications.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Session 1: Using the Law to Protect and Grow Your Small Business
Info: Hosted by Nathan Hammons, Director of the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic. Marquette University Law School.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Session 2: Business Mentorship / Strategies for Business Growth and Expansion
Info: The Mentoring Businesses portion of the workshop will be held by Mr. Germaine Reese, Manager of Business Diversity of CDW. How to Expand a Business will be hosted by Marjorie Rucker, Executive Director of the Business Council.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Session 2: City & County Bid/RFP Submission Process and Contracting
Info: Submitting Bids and RFPs through Bonfire: A Step-by-Step Guide Hosted by the City of Milwaukee Purchasing Division and the County of Milwaukee’s Procurement Division. Each organization will provide an overview of goods and services purchased and provide an overview detail of the bid and RFP submission process and how to use the digital bid/RFP software platform, as well as navigating Bonfire
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 3: Panel Discussion: Securing Business Capital
Host: Lafayette Crump- DCD Commissioner
Info: Panelist: African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and BMO Harris Bank . This panel will detail sources of funding to support and grow your business.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 3: City of Milwaukee DPW and DCD-NIDC Contract Opportunities
Info: Hosted by the Department of Public Works and Department of City Development-NIDC . Learn about major construction (paving, vacant lot maintenance, lead lateral repairs, and more) contracting opportunities from several DPW divisions and residential repair and rehabilitation projects for homeowners, homebuyers, and responsible landlords.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
BMO Tower, 790 North Water Street, Milwaukee, United States
USD 0.00
