Annual conference provides procurement opportunities and teaches attendees how to do business with the City of Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, MD (June 5th, 2024) – The 2024 City of Baltimore Procurement Conference will be held on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, at the Baltimore Convention Center from 9am – 4pm. It is hosted by Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development, (SMBA&D) and cohosted by the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore City Information and Technology (BCIT) and the City of Baltimore Bureau of Procurement. This year marks the first year the event will be held at this location. Currently, over 1000 people have registered for the conference across 14 states as far as Missouri and Florida. Registration and admission are free for all attendees.

“I want to encourage everyone interested in working with city, state, or federal government to take part in this year’s City of Baltimore Procurement Conference. I hope you enjoy gathering in beautiful Charm City and take the opportunity to connect with each other and all the incredible institutions, resource partners, and corporations who will be represented. Our procurement systems help make possible everything that our City and State does,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “That’s exactly why my administration has prioritized rebuilding Baltimore City’s procurement office and processes. We want to welcome every qualified business and contractor – especially minority and women-owned businesses – to help us make our city the best version of itself, and there is no better way to do so than signing on to do business with the City of Baltimore.”

“We are excited to bring this opportunity for you to learn more about doing business with the City of Baltimore,” stated Paul E. Taylor, Director of The Small Business Resource Center. “At this conference, you will become acquainted with:

1. The procurement process
2. How to register as a supplier
3. Outreach opportunities
4. How to monitor bid opportunities
5. Preparing competitive bids
6. Meeting compliance requirements
7. Leveraging small and local business programs, and
8. Resources and additional contacts that can assist you on your business journey

During the event, attendees will receive free breakfast and lunch along with access to five different workshops between the morning and afternoon sessions. Some of the workshops listed are How to Do Business with the City of Baltimore, City of Baltimore Design and  Presentation, and Information and Technology Contracts (Current and Future). 

“Dozens of our partners will be there to discuss their upcoming projects and opportunities,” said Christopher R. Lundy, Esq., Director of the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development. “Forecasting of upcoming opportunities with the City of Baltimore is necessary to allow our local small and minority business community to be put in position to succeed. Now more than ever, it is imperative for businesses to seek out contracts, learn, network, develop relationships, and work to increase their insurance and bonding to be competitive in the marketplace.”

Nearly 100 exhibitors registered for the conference, including but not limited to local city agencies like the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, and Baltimore City Department of Transportation, state agencies like the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs and Maryland Department of Transportation, federal agencies like U.S. Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), financial institutions like J.P. Morgan Chase and PNC Bank, resource partners like Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, and corporations like The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Commercial Construction LLC.  “As a city agency and part of the bigger Baltimore City community, the Baltimore Convention Center is excited to help facilitate the important work of connecting business leaders in intentional ways to help uplift small, minority, and women owned businesses,” said Mac Campbell, Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center.

As of now, exhibitor, volunteer and sponsorship registrations are closed, but attendee registration will remain open until the day of the event.

For more information about the 2024 City of Baltimore Procurement Conference, visit https://smba-d.baltimorecity.gov/mwboo/procurementconference