News & Events

Connections 2017

Connections 2017 A supplier diversity event

On May 19, 2017, the University of South Florida hosted Connections 2017 to bring together diverse businesses from Tampa Bay and USF departmental and college representatives with purchasing power. More than 200 USF employees filled the Plaza Room of the Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center to meet the minority-, women-, and service disabled veteran-owned businesses offering a variety of goods and services. Following the morning business showcase, more than 90 vendors gathered in the Hillsborough Room for the purchasing presentation, presented by Director of Purchasing George Cotter. Recently-hired Assistant Vice President of Supplier Diversity, Terrie Daniel, introduced herself to the diverse businesses and discussed the future of the supplier diversity program at USF.

Connections 2017 Reviews:

"Great event all around! We were honored to be one of the select companies able to exhibit. We made a lot of connections and look forward to working more with USF." - Vendor

"I have absolutely nothing to add. I'm really grateful and I hope some other institutions do the same thing you did and with so amazing organization. We couldn't ask for anything else, only maybe to do it more often. Thanks for everything." - Vendor

"I thought it was an excellent event that was centrally located on campus so it was easy to attend." - USF Representative

"USF needs to sponsor more of these outreach programs to the diversity MBE vendors." - USF Representative