Houston City College Expo to connect employees with small business vendors

Houston City College (HCC) employees will have an opportunity this fall to connect with local small business vendors during the college’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) expo, an event designed to increase awareness and use of contracted suppliers.

The expo, scheduled for Sept. 10, 2026, in the HCC District auditorium from 9 a.m. -11 a.m., will feature vendors offering promotional products, office supplies, technology solutions and staffing services. Employees will have the opportunity to meet vendors in person, learn about their products and services and identify resources that can support departmental needs.

Veronica Douglas, assistant director of the HCC Small Business Development Program, discussed the event and the college’s broader small businesses initiatives during a recent appearance on HCCTV's Up 2 the Minute.

"The HCC Board of Trustees established a goal of directing 35% of the college’s spending toward small businesses in the greater Houston area,” she said.

The expo supports that goal by strengthening connections between HCC employees and vendors who already hold contracts with the college.

"We don't want to just have certified small businesses on our contract roster. We want our end users to use them," Douglas said. “This expo gives employees an opportunity to see what’s available and build relationships.”

In addition to promoting existing suppliers, HCC is encouraging businesses interested in working with the college to register through its procurement portal at hccs.edu/procurement. There, they can complete an online application, submit a W-9 and provide a conflict-of-interest form.

Vendors seeking participation in the Small Business Program must also obtain certification through one of the agencies recognized by HCC.

Once registered, businesses can receive notifications about bidding opportunities and procurement contracts that match their products or services. Douglas emphasized the importance of maintaining a reliable email address and selecting multiple commodity codes to increase visibility for future opportunities.

Although vendor registration is available year-round, Douglas noted that now is a good time for businesses to complete the process. With the new fiscal year beginning on Sept.1 and additional procurement opportunities on the horizon, registered vendors will be better positioned to receive bid notifications and compete for future contracts.