Laredo Purchasing Fiesta at TAMIU on Thursday, July 31

An opportunity for local and regional businesses to establish business relationships with local, area and state governments will be held at Texas A&M International University on Thursday, July 31 from 1 - 7 p.m. at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, Room 111.

Dubbed "The Laredo Purchasing Fiesta," this is the second such offering targeting increased business with local and regional vendors. It is being hosted by TAMIU, the City of Laredo, County of Webb, Laredo Independent School District, Laredo Community College and United Independent School District.

The event is free of charge, but advanced registration is recommended.

Laura Rea, TAMIU director of purchasing, said the Fiesta offers an ideal opportunity for businesses to explore new business opportunities.

"Businesses who attend will be able to register with each local government as an authorized vendor, receive valuable information on procurement requirements of vendors, make contacts with local purchasing offices and agents and get visibility and valuable exposure for their company. We welcome anyone interested in doing business with local governments to attend."

Rea explained that selling to local governments has its differences, and the Fiesta will give participants an opportunity to learn about critical procedures for selling goods or services to local governments.

"We'll have informative sessions on how to sell to local governments, which ones utilize bids, what procurement methods are standardized, why purchase orders are required, what forms are required and accepted payment procedures," she noted.

In addition, vendors will have an opportunity to visit exhibits and attend classes in certification.

The Fiesta Schedule is as follows:

1:00-1:30 p.m. - Welcome and Refreshments provided by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

1:30-6:00 p.m. - Visit Exhibits or attend classes in certification, lead by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC).

6:00-7:00 p.m. - Reception hosted by the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Besides the event organizers, other groups scheduled to participate include: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, University of Texas-Pan American, Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, University of Texas at Brownsville, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

For more information, please call the TAMIU Purchasing Office at 956.326. 2355 or email lrea@tamiu.edu.

With State budget cuts, the University is observing a four-day, 10-hour a day schedule this summer with office hours from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Offices are closed Fridays.