Representatives of minority-owned companies will have an opportunity to learn more about how to do business with Wayne State University at the university's annual Minority Conference on Procurement set for Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Student Center Building on campus, 5221 Gullen Mall.

Vendors are in encouraged to take advantage of the 1-4 p.m. buyer/supplier dialogue sessions, where the purchasing staff and other university representatives responsible for identifying and ordering goods and services will be available.

Wayne State president, Irvin D. Reid will welcome guests at 4:30 p.m., and key administrators will familiarize conference participants with the university's current plans, introduce the WSU/Pepsi/Frito-Lay Project ONE Team members, and share important information on how to conduct business with the university. Guests will have an opportunity to chat informally with Wayne State buyers, administrators and the Project ONE Team during a reception immediately following the presentations.

"This annual conference is one example of Wayne State's commitment to the Detroit metro area and it reaffirms the university's dedication to providing opportunities to minority vendors in the community," says John Davis, vice president for finance and facilities. "Encouraging diversity in its many aspects, including economic opportunity, has been a very high priority for President Reid."

Joan Gossman, director of purchasing, points out that the annual conference gives minority entrepreneurs an opportunity to become more familiar with needs of the university and its procurement process. "This event offers potential suppliers personal time with the decision makers who specify goods and services for the university," she notes. "It eliminates the 'cold call' to introduce your products, and places a company on the vendor data base immediately."

To register for the conference, or for more information on the products and services the university purchases, visit the Purchasing Department or call (313) 577-3734.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.