The Chamber's Supplier Network (SN) is an educational and networking program that prepares small to mid-size businesses to pursue bids from large companies and government agencies and build relationships with regional procurement officers.

Procurement officers from leading companies lend insight into the purchasing process and how to effectively market your company, locate requests for proposals, and vie for contracts. Since the program launch in 2005, about 200 companies have been trained and designated as SN members, providing them with unique access to dozens of supporting organizations, and a competitive edge in dealing with procurement officers at any organization.

To become an SN member, vendor companies must be a Chamber member, have been in operation for at least three years, and successfully complete the entire training series. A wide range of vendor industries are already a part of the Supplier Network. Businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans are among the most sought-after by supporting corporations wanting to reach their supplier diversity goals. Other sought-after groups include industrial suppliers, contractors, and printers, to name a few.

Advantages built into the program include a five-minute personal pitch, and ongoing exposure, to regional procurement executives; exclusive networking invitations; inclusion in the SN Web site database and other recognition for SN graduates. There is a one-time fee of $250 which includes the series, ongoing exclusive networking events, and advanced educational workshops, for the duration of your Chamber membership. For more information, visit greaterphilachamber.com/suppliernet

Fall Series: Wednesdays at the Chamber

Instruction: October 29: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m & November 5: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Networking: November 12: 8:30 a.m.  to 11:00 a.m.