NEWS
|
NYPA Sponsors 18th Annual Purchasing Exchange June 19 for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises Contact: June 18, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—Several hundred representatives of minority- and women-owned businesses will discuss contract opportunities with some of the largest corporations and government agencies in the region on June 19 when the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will play host to its 18th Annual Purchasing Exchange, a main element of its Supplier Diversity Program. “At the Power Authority, supplier diversity is more than a goal, we believe it’s a smart way to do business,” said Roger B. Kelley, NYPA president and chief executive officer. “In advancing that philosophy, NYPA’s purchasing exchanges provide access to a full range of opportunities and a full range of organizations from the around the state.” More than 30 companies including local city, county, state and federal agencies and authorities, and Fortune 500 corporations, are scheduled to participate, making the NYPA purchasing exchange one of the largest and most diversified in the state. It will be held in the Jaguar Room at the Power Authority’s main administrative office on 123 Main St. in White Plains. Attendees from minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) at past NYPA purchasing exchanges have typically numbered in the hundreds. They meet individually with purchasing agents from the private and public sectors, and with other minority- and women-owned vendors, to network and establish contacts that could lead to supplier contracts. Representatives from minority and women business trade associations, councils and organizations are also in attendance. In the past, M/WBEs in attendance have supplied a wide range of goods and services ranging from hydraulic systems and electrical work to interior design and office products. The Power Authority has awarded approximately $450 million in contracts to M/WBEs since NYPA voluntarily started its Supplier Diversity Program in 1983, which was before such programs were mandated by state law for state agencies and authorities. NYPA now does business regularly with 60 to 70 M/WBEs, through either direct business or subcontracting opportunities. “Working with people of varied cultures and backgrounds gives us greater access to new ideas and perspectives that we can use to improve our own business approach, said Debra White, manager of the Power Authority’s Supplier Diversity program. “We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the years.” Companies and agencies expected to attend include: Bank of New York/Mellon; Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority; Consolidated Edison of New York; New York State Contract Reporter; City of Yonkers; County of Westchester; New York State Dormitory Authority; Empire State Development Corporation; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Hudson River Park Trust; Jacob Javits Convention Center; Keyspan Energy/National Grid; Metropolitan Transportation Authority; New Jersey Transit; New York City (NYC) Department of Small Business Services; NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation; NYC Housing Authority; NYC School Construction Authority; New York State Office of General Services; Pepsi; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Slattery Skanska; The Hertz Corporation; U.S. Small Business Administration; and New York State Department of Transportation. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. ■ For more information, please go to www.nypa.gov. |
|