The City of Birmingham’s Department of Finance is set to host the Business with BHM Vendor Opportunity Expo on Thursday, August 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., a free event aimed at empowering local businesses to tap into the city’s procurement landscape. This in-person expo is designed not just as an information session but as an accessible gateway for small business owners, entrepreneurs, service providers, and vendors of all sizes to navigate the complexities of bidding for city contracts.
Robbie Martin, the city’s Procurement Director, emphasises the event’s purpose as an “open door” committed to engaging with businesses that mirror Birmingham’s diverse community. Attendees will gain practical, step-by-step guidance on the city’s procurement processes, including direct access to city purchasing team members, assistance in becoming certified vendors, support with obtaining business licenses, and insights into a variety of citywide resources intended to help local businesses thrive.
Pre-registration is encouraged by August 1, with registration available via the Purchasing Division’s contact points, including phone and email.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts in Birmingham to foster inclusivity and economic growth through supplier diversity and local business development. The city’s commitment resonates with work carried out by the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) and its Inclusive Procurement Council (IPC). The IPC, established under Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Valuing Inclusion to Accelerate and Lift (VITAL) pledge, works alongside procurement and supplier diversity professionals from regional companies to cultivate a network that supports underrepresented businesses. It hosts regular matchmaking events and provides resources to approximately 150 small businesses, creating critical access points between these businesses and larger corporate opportunities.
Birmingham Business Alliance, functioning as the local chamber of commerce and economic development agency, also plays a significant role in bolstering the city’s economic ecosystem. Since its founding in 2009, the BBA has driven the creation of 33,000 jobs and attracted more than $8.5 billion in new investments, underpinning numerous transformative projects across the city and region.
At the same time, the city maintains transparent and equitable procurement procedures through platforms like Find it in Birmingham, Contracts Finder, and the Gov.UK Find a Tender portal, ensuring that contracts valued over £25,000 are openly advertised and accessible via an e-tendering portal. This transparency supports the city’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and economic inclusion.
Complementing these efforts, the Greater Birmingham Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and its experienced advisors provide crucial guidance to entrepreneurs and small business owners on navigating government contracting and accessing broader growth resources.
The City of Birmingham Office of Economic Development further reinforces these initiatives by championing inclusive economic growth, job creation, and skill development. Its Business Diversity & Opportunity programs ensure that minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises have meaningful participation in the city’s economic progress.
Together, these collaborative efforts reflect Birmingham’s strategic focus on fostering a resilient and inclusive local economy. The upcoming Business with BHM Vendor Opportunity Expo is a tangible example of this commitment, offering local businesses a pathway to participate directly in the city’s economic development and procurement processes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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