Program Summary

The Advance Colorado Procurement Expo (ACPE) is a virtual annual event for businesses to showcase their goods and services to local and state government agencies, attend workshops, and network. You will be able to meet government procurement professionals to discuss how to best sell your goods and services, exhibit throughout the day to potential buyers, and network with over 100 businesses. We encourage all businesses – including those owned by women, minorities, and veterans – to participate.

The 2023 Advance Colorado Procurement Expo is virtual. You may still view the 2023 virtual expo floor and recorded expo sessions. To do so, subscribe to our ACPE newsletter here and the welcome email you receive will have all of the information you need.

Overview

Type: Trade show

For: Entrepreneurs and businesses

Event date: Each fall

OEDIT division: Minority Business Office

The 2022 Advance Colorado Procurement Expo was held virtually on October 6, 2022. You may still view the 2022 virtual expo floor and recorded expo sessions. To do so, subscribe to our ACPE newsletter here and the welcome email you receive will have all of the information you need.

We encourage all businesses – including those owned by women, minorities, and veterans – to participate. We offer low-cost tickets for our virtual event to allow for all interested parties to attend. You may buy a ticket for general admission, small business exhibitor, or large business exhibitor.

General Admission
All are welcome to attend this virtual event. Attendees will have access to sessions, the virtual exhibit floor, and the live roundtables.

Small Business Exhibitor
Small businesses have 100 employees or fewer. Any small business owner is invited to exhibit regardless of business size (up to 100 employees) or ownership, especially businesses owned by women, minority, veterans, and LGTBQ+. Book this ticket and your confirmation email will provide next steps on virtually exhibiting. This ticket includes the same access as General Admission.

Large Business Exhibitor
Large businesses have more than 100 employees. Any large business owner is invited to exhibit regardless of business size (greater than 100 employees) or ownership, especially businesses owned by women, minority, veterans, and LGTBQ+. Book this ticket and your confirmation email will provide next steps on virtually exhibiting.

9am	Opening Remarks Welcome - Antonio Soto, MBO Why Procurement - David Musgrave, CDOT Gratitude for Colorado's Small Businesses - Special Guest
9:10am	Panel: Small Dollar Purchases
9:40am	Presentation: Procurement and Contracting Over $50k
10:10am	Panel: Certifications
10:40am	Governor's Minority Business Awards
10:55am	Live Roundtable Conversations
11:55	Closing Remarks - Barb Musick, DPA
12pm	Event Concludes

Small Dollar Purchases

Doing business when no bids are required - For many businesses this is the "sweet spot" as businesses don't have to compete for a contract. Attend this session and find out how small dollar purchasing happens.

Speakers and moderators

Brooke Dunn, CPCP	Valerie Scott	Dave Korman	Barb Musick
Commercial Card Program Administrator	Purchasing & Contracts Manager	Small Business Liaison Officer	Communications Manager, Supplier Diversity Liaison
Colorado Department of Transportation	City of Longmont	Procurement Service Center, University of Colorado	State Purchasing & Contracts Office

Large Dollar Purchases & Contract Considerations

Come to this session to learn about bid thresholds for different entities and what terms you may have to agree to in contracting with state and local government.

Speakers and moderators

Chelsea Gilbertson	Alicia Armentrout	Tim Wellman	David Musgrave
Central Contracts Manager	Assistant Supplier Inclusion Programs Manager	Purchasing Director	Vendor Outreach Administrator
Central Contracts Unit, Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration	Procurement Services, Colorado State University	St. Vrain Valley School District	Colorado Department of Transportation

Business Certifications

Having a business certification can give your business a leg up in the bidding process. Attend this session to learn about the various certifications, how to become certified, and how to leverage a certification to win business.

Speakers and moderators

Cathy Kramer	Elly Bacon	Brittany Eroen
Program Manager	Assistant Director, Certification & Capacity Building, Division of Small Business Opportunity	DEDO Assistant Director
Connect2DOT	Denver Economic Development & Opportunity \| City and County of Denver	City and County of Denver

Event Partners

This event is hosted in partnership with the Colorado Minority Business Office - Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the State Purchasing & Contracts Office - Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, and the Center for Procurement & Contract Services at the Colorado Department of Transportation.