Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention
The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce calls its annual convention each August “a treasure trove of connections waiting to be explored” and the Illinois Tollway went all-out to tap into that wealth of connections.
“The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce convention is an ideal place for the Illinois Tollway to find talented entrepreneurs and innovative businesses provide valuable goods and services,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We offer contract opportunities not only for construction and professional engineering services, but also for providers of goods and services specifically for small and diverse businesses.”
Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Chief of Procurement Pete Foernssler joined Tollway staff last week in East Peoria to participate in a dozen one-on-one matchmaking sessions, a panel discussion on how to do business with state agencies and talking to dozens of attendees at its exhibit table throughout the course of the two-day convention.
The annual Illinois Black Chamber convention attracts hundreds of representatives of African American-owned firms, including engineering, architecture and construction firms, as well as IT and various trades. The purpose is to provide African American entrepreneurs and established businesses with the resources and information they need to grow and succeed.