Continued Connections: Meet the Buyer Goes Hybrid

By: Ky Willson

For more than a decade, the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) has hosted the Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum (MTB) with the purpose of connecting certified businesses with City of Houston procurement agents, prime contractors, regional governmental agencies and industry-specific professional organizations. The structure of the agenda, workshops and exhibitor fair provide direct networking opportunities among companies large and small.

In December 2020, there was a shift, a pivot. The face-to-face interactions occurring in previous years transitioned to a completely virtual experience. Under the leadership of OBO Business Development Manager Dr. Porscha Jackson, a committee of OBO staff volunteers created an online experience that ensured all participants, approximately 450 in total, continued to build productive professional and business relationships.

Meet the Buyer 2021, held Dec. 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, was no exception as a model of resilience for all participants. Thanks to sponsors Houston First Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, the event was presented in a hybrid format. Attended by more than 255 registrants (approximately 190 in person and 65 virtually), the event allowed prime contractors, subcontractors, government agencies and industry organizations to reap the benefit of making professional connections in person, while demonstrating flexibility in the continuation of key business practices for those who opted to attend virtually.

Additionally, businesses also received practical applications of online networking, virtual introductions of products and services, and targeted strategies to interact directly with buyers. Through panels, Q&A sessions, and expo booths in person and virtually, prime contractors interfaced one-on-one with prospective subcontractors and industry organizations to provide valuable resources in support of procurement success.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: Raul Vasquez of TruFund shares information about small business financing during the Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum.

The event began with welcome messages from Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Councilmember Amy Peck of District A. Mayor Turner encouraged small business owners to leverage the connections made at Meet the Buyer, while Councilmember Peck reminded participants that the City is open for business, with many contracting opportunities available.

Director Marsha E. Murray then provided updates about OBO’s programs and events, including an important program change to allow MWBE primes to meet advertised goals by self-performing up to 50% of the total goal. “This will allow MWBE primes to build capacity and still provide opportunities for MWBE subcontractor participation,” she said.

Featured speaker Roger Harris, Director of External Affairs at Houston First, spoke about contracting best practices and upcoming opportunities in the public and private sectors. OBO Advisory Board member Raoul Keddy, Founder and Managing Director of Raked International, facilitated a panel titled Procuring Beyond the Nation’s Borders. Other panels focused on private sector procurement, procurement success, and formal requests for proposal (RFPs) and bid Invitations.

“Through structured panel discussions, business owners who have previously walked this path shared personal experiences and recommendations on how best to submit bids on projects, secure the bid, and optimize outcomes of completed projects,” Director Murray said. “In addition, participants learned how to leverage their certifications to do business with key players in the private sector as well as how to expand their business in global markets. The greatest impact of MTB is the potential for small businesses to expand their business portfolio and forge meaningful and productive relationships.”

The greatest impact of MTB is the potential for small businesses to expand their business portfolio and forge meaningful and productive relationships.