The Commonwealth's Premier Event for Small, Women-Owned, & Minority Businesses

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Aug. 21, 2016 - PRLog -- This fall, hundreds of small, women-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses will convene in Newport News, Virginia for SWaMfest 2016. This premier event connects hundreds of SWaM businesses to the purchasing power of  the Virginia Association of State College and University Purchasing Professionals (VASCUPP), as well as other large and small businesses. The two-day event will take place at the Newport News Marriott at City Center, October 12 & 13th.

SWaMfest is the Commonwealth's prime networking, educational, and professional development event for SWaM businesses.  According to University of Virginia, Supplier and Diversity Director, Leslie Haughton "the VASCUPP group of schools actively share cooperative contracts with each other. Which means if a business acquires a contract with one VASCUPP school, it could potentially be shared with all the others."

So, what schools make up VASCUPP? James Madison University, George Mason University, Longwood University, University of Mary Washington, Old Dominion University, Radford University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech, and the College of William & Mary.

Haughton went on to say that VASCUPP essentially networks amongst themselves and shares information on suppliers who are new and perform at a high level. The Virginia Association of State College and University Purchasing Professionals is committed to helping Virginia's SWaM businesses remain strong, vibrant, and successful.

Confirmed SWaMfest speakers include Newport News Mayor, McKinley Price, Dr Greg Fairchild from UVA's Darden School of Business, Nicole Eickoff of the Northern Virginia Women's Business Center, and many others.

SWaMfest is open to certified and uncertified small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Early bird registration is available through September 15th. Tickets are available online at www.swamfest.com.