Advancing Quality Diversity LLC to Host e-Procurement Workshop At Government Procurement Connections `Thinking Outside the Box'.

Business Editors

Government Procurement Connections 2002

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 2002

J. Goodwille Pierre, JD, president and founder of Advancing Quality Diversity LLC (AQD), will moderate the e-procurement workshop at one of the nation's premier intergovernmental contracting fairs, Government Procurement Connections 2002, at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Tuesday, April 2, 2002, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Exhibit Hall D.

Government Procurement Connections (GPC) 2002 represents a full day of intergovernmental cooperation and one-stop shopping for information regarding contracting opportunities. GPC is a 10-year strategic alliance with the City of Houston, Harris County, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Department of Veteran Affairs - Office Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, State of Texas, Houston Federal Executive Board and Port of Houston Authority. This exciting one-day event is expected to draw more than 3,000 small business owners and more than 500 purchasing representatives from various entities. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet face to face with key decision makers involved in the day-to-day operations of purchasing, construction and professional services contracting for their agencies. Financial institutions, resource agencies, prime contractors and other organizations committed to small business development will also be represented.

The e-procurement workshop will be an informative panel discussion and will teach small business owners everything they will need to "level the playing field" by having a Web presence and being e-enabled to sell products to governmental and quasi-governmental entities over the Internet. "This workshop flows with the theme of this year's GPC of `Thinking outside the box,'" says J. Goodwille Pierre of AQD. "Small and minority business owners are forced in this new millennium to diversify their thinking and come up with new and innovating ways to sell their products."

Participating in the panel discussion will be special guests: Helen Callier of Bradlink Webdesign.com, Veronica M. Gilmore of Verger Development Solutions LLC, Mike Anderle of Productivity Center Inc. and Eric L. Odom of Compaq Computer Corporation.

The fair is free of charge, open to everyone and promises to be one of the most beneficial events a small business owner can attend. For additional information, or if you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Rhonda Cummings at 713/527-8233, ext. 32 or Safiyah Abdullah 713/837-9022 or visit our Web site at www.houstongpc.org.