Are you the owner of a small, woman- or minority-owned business, looking for opportunities to contract with local governments and nonprofit agencies?

Or are you a subcontractor, looking to get your foot in the door and partner with a team or a general contractor on large City of Knoxville projects?

If so, then the fourth annual Diversity Business Expo on March 4, 2021 might be what your business is needing.

Due to pandemic safety protocols, the 2021 Expo will be conducted virtually.

Meet dozens of local agency decision-makers with small-dollar purchase authority. But the Expo also allows business owners to meet procurement staff to discuss more formal opportunities. And contractors will be attending, looking to recruit minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to join their teams.

Sponsors include the City of Knoxville, Knox County, the Knoxville Chamber, the University of Tennessee, the Public Building Authority, Knoxville's Community Development Corp., KUB, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Blount County and the East Tennessee Purchasing Association.

The Expo is free and runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Registration is mandatory:  
https://2021dbexpo.questionpro.com

"The Expo has grown over the years, and people reach out to ask when it's happening each year," says Pamela Cotham, head of the City's Small Business and Diversity Outreach Office.

"It is multi-faceted and can benefit businesses in a number of ways. On top of meeting with local agency decision-makers, businesses will also be able to talk with small business resource agencies like the Knoxville Area Urban League, SCORE and the Chamber, as well as several general contractors interested in subcontracting on large projects."

Questions? Contact the City's Diversity Business Specialist, Luis Garcia, at 865-215-2293 or at [email protected].

Meanwhile, here are a few photos from the 2020 Diversity Business Expo, held at Overcoming Believers Church in East Knoxville.