UC Davis Health, Davis campus hosting 6th Annual Small Business Expo Aug. 20
(SACRAMENTO)
UC Davis Health and UC Davis Campus will host the 6th Annual Small Business Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Oak Park Community Center.
The Expo brings departments from across UC Davis Health and the UC Davis campus together with local small and diverse businesses to build new partnerships and explore future business opportunities.
The Expo supports the University of California's Small Business First (SB1st) program, which encourages the use of certified Small Businesses (SBs) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs) for eligible non-construction procurements between $10,000 and $250,000. Through a streamlined quote-to-award process, SB1st makes it easier for departments to engage qualified suppliers while helping UC meet its small business participation goals. For purchases under $100,000, only one quote is required, and purchases between $100,000 and $250,000 require only two quotes (program requirements may vary slightly across UC locations).
The Expo also advances UC Davis Health's Anchor Institution Mission (AIM) by strengthening our commitment to hire local, buy local, invest local and volunteer local. By connecting departments with local businesses, we can expand our supplier network, support our surrounding communities, and create more opportunities for small and diverse businesses to work with UC Davis.
Why Your Department Should Attend
If your department has upcoming purchasing needs, contracts, or projects, the Small Business Expo is an opportunity to meet qualified local suppliers face-to-face and identify businesses that may be a good fit for future procurements. More than 400 small and diverse businesses are already registered to attend, representing a broad range of products and services.
Department representatives will host informational tables while suppliers circulate throughout the event to learn about departmental needs, discuss their capabilities, and begin building relationships. Educational workshops for suppliers will also help businesses better understand how to work with UC Davis, creating a stronger pipeline of vendors for future opportunities.
Whether you're planning purchases this fiscal year or simply looking to expand your supplier network, participating in the Expo can help your department identify new vendors while supporting UC Davis’s supplier diversity and Small Business First goals.
Register Your Department
Departments interested in participating are encouraged to reserve a table as soon as possible, as space is limited. Registration closes Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Each registered department should have at least one representative attend the Expo Overview at 2 p.m. Aug. 6. During this session, organizers will review event logistics, expectations, timelines, and best practices for engaging with suppliers. Departments will also have the opportunity to ask questions before the Expo.
If you know of a local small or diverse business that would benefit from attending, please encourage them to contactSmallBusinessFirst@health.ucdavis.edufor more information.
