Owners and managers of local businesses who would like to bid on contracts with the City of Knoxville and network with other local businesses are invited to attend the 12th annual Business Breakfast on Wednesday, June 23, 8:30-11 a.m.

The event will be held virtually via the Zoom Rooms video conferencing platform. Attendance is free, but preregistration is required by July 22 at https://bit.ly/3f4ZInY. 

The program will include a welcome from Mayor Indya Kincannon and presentations by City department directors and Purchasing Department staff.

Department directors and/or purchasing agents will lead break-out sessions on specific projects planned for the next 12 to 18 months, the anticipated dates work will be going out for bid, and bidder qualifications. 

There will also be enhanced opportunities to meet the department directors virtually in Zoom Breakout rooms. Participating departments include: Engineering, Redevelopment, Police, Fire, Fleet, Parks and Recreation, Public Service, and Housing and Neighborhood Development.

Officials from Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC), the Public Building Authority (PBA), Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) and Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) will be present to outline their projects and business needs.

The City of Knoxville has nearly $100 million dollars in upcoming projects.

“This is a great opportunity for businesses, particularly small, women-owned, minority-owned, service disabled veteran-owned and businesses owned by persons with disabilities to get a better understanding of how to compete for contracts with the City of Knoxville,” said Pamela Cotham, Assistant Purchasing Agent and Small Business and Diversity Outreach Office manager.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to participate should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact Title VI Coordinator Tatia M. Harris at 865-215-2831.