Big Opportunities-Bold Partnerships Session 5: Marketing to Colleges/Univ

Big Opportunities, Bold Partnerships. is a collaborative initiative between Radford University, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), designed to help small businesses better understand and access procurement opportunities in higher education. The initiative consists of a six-part virtual workshop series, running from June 2026 through October 2026 and will provide vendors with practical guidance on navigating Virginia’s eVA procurement system, connecting with buyers, uncovering contracting opportunities, marketing effectively, and responding to bids and proposals. The series will culminate in November 2026 with an in-person Meet the Buyers event (date and location TBD), where attendees will have the opportunity to network directly with purchasing professionals from Radford University, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Community College System, and other area colleges and universities.

Success in procurement isn’t just about finding opportunities — it’s also about standing out. This workshop will help small businesses learn how to market themselves effectively to higher education buyers. Topics will include developing a strong vendor profile, crafting a capabilities statement that speaks to university procurement needs, and positioning your business for long-term success in the competitive higher ed marketplace..

Session Objectives:

• Why relationships and first impressions matter
• Explain how to create or refine a capabilities statement that will stand out from the crowd
• Provide an overview of the best practices for building long-term visibility and credibility with institutions.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Kathy Deacon directly by email at kathy.deacon@sbsd.virginia.gov.