Oregon Institute of Technology will host the first Klamath Basin Business Marketplace on Thursday, April 28, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the Oregon Tech Campus. The Klamath Basin Marketplace is a half-day informational forum/networking opportunity for business owners in the local area. Businesses and service providers can learn how to do business with the Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Community College, Klamath County, City of Klamath Falls, Jeld-Wen, Sky Lakes Medical Center, and the Klamath Chamber of Commerce.
“Our goal is to open a dialogue with local vendors in the Klamath Basin on how to do business with Oregon Tech and other government/large businesses in the area and who to contact within those organizations. It’s a chance for the smaller, local businesses to network and learn how to get their foot in the door,” commented George Marlton, Director of Purchasing and Contract Services at Oregon Tech. “The other goal is to help local businesses by providing the tools necessary to successfully bid and win contracts with the different governmental entities and large businesses."
The agenda for the Marketplace includes a presentation from Oregon Tech’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, Mary Ann Zemke on the importance of sourcing goods and services from local vendors. Also included will be a presentation by Cheryl Myers, the Director of Economic & Business Equity (position formally known as Governor’s Advocate for minority, women and emerging small businesses), Patricia Stewart from the Oregon University System, buying representatives from each of the participating governmental entities and large businesses, and local business experts. The local business experts will provide information on insurance, bonding, small business loans and bookkeeping and tax tips.
“I think that many local businesses want to provide services to OIT and other large entities in the area, however, it is often confusing to understand the processes and who to contact. Our emphasis is to remove barriers for local businesses to get more work with government agencies and businesses,” said Mary Ann Zemke.
The Marketplace will feature a “reverse vendor fair” as well. Buyers from governmental ad large business entities will host tables where vendors and contractors can talk to them about upcoming projects and provide business cards and literature on their services.
Marlton says the three goals he hopes the Klamath Basin Business Marketplace will accomplish are: To encourage local businesses to become Minority, Women, Emerging Small Business certified; break down the barriers of how large organizations do business and who we are; and give local businesses the advantages and tools to work with Oregon Tech and other large businesses.
For more information about the Klamath Basin Marketplace event, please contact Leticia Hill in the Oregon Tech Business Affairs at 541.885.1133 or by email at leticia.hill@oit.edu.
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About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is one of seven institutions in the Oregon University System, and the only public institute of technology in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering and health technologies, management, communications and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public and international communities through hands-on learning. Oregon Tech’s main campus is in Klamath Falls; other sites are located in Portland, La Grande and Seattle. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.
