Make plans to attend the Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo on Wednesday, May 23. This event will bring together suppliers, University buyers, local agencies and organizations from across campus and throughout Philadelphia to celebrate supplier diversity; showcase the resources available to local, diverse and small businesses; and provide an excellent opportunity for business networking.

The event begins with the Forum at 11 a.m, in Room 200 College Hall. The Forum’s host and panel moderator will be Penn’s Executive Vice President Craig R. Carnaroli. He will facilitate a conversation among local business and community leaders who are regarded as agents of change and are driving community and economic development across Philadelphia neighborhoods.  Panelists include:

Celeste Corrado—director, Wharton Small Business Development Center; instructor, Wharton School;

Harold T. Epps; director of commerce, City of Philadelphia;

Lin Thomas; chairman & CEO, SUPRA Office Solutions, Inc. and Chairman and CEO, EMSCO Scientific Enterprises, Inc.; and,

Evan Urbania; CEO and Co-Founder, ChatterBlast Media.

Poster Sessions by several community organizations will be conducted prior to the Forum from 10:30-11 a.m.

From noon-2 p.m., members of the Penn buying community are also invited to visit the outdoor Expo celebration on College Green along Locust Walk between 34th and 36th Streets.  Local and diverse suppliers will be in a large tented area where they will showcase their services and answer questions from event-goers.  A variety of tasty samples also will be available from many local caterers.

Advance registration is required to gain access to the Forum and the Expo’s tented area to visit with the suppliers. Registration is available at www.upenn.edu/purchasing in the “Purchasing Events” section.

The Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania under the auspices of the Offices of the President, EVP, Government & Community Affairs and Division of Business Services.