Michigan food and agriculture suppliers, growers, and processors invited to attend Pure Michigan Business Connect

Pure Michigan Business Connect is partnering with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and 22 Michigan food buyers to host an agriculture supplier summit

LANSING, Mich. – Pure Michigan Business Connect is partnering with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and 22 Michigan food buyers to host an agriculture supplier summit on Thursday, March 19 at DeVos Center in Grand Rapids.

“This summit will provide a great platform to bring Michigan buyers and suppliers around the same table to create new business opportunities for our state,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. “The networking and connections made at this event will lead to increased economic development and job creation with Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.”

Hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program, MDARD, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and in cooperation with The Right Place Inc., the Pure Michigan Agriculture Summit will help Michigan companies gain procurement opportunities with major grocery chains and food purchasers from around the state. The participating companies have provided more than 200 procurement needs for which they are committed to finding and working with qualified Michigan suppliers. 

“The Pure Michigan Business Connect program is an innovative way for government to help Michigan businesses find new opportunities through market-based solutions, and we commend MDARD for its commitment to working with us and helping Michigan’s food producers and suppliers grow,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We estimate that since Pure Michigan Business Connect launched, the program has facilitated more than $2.1 billion in revenue for Michigan companies. This supplier summit, with more than 200 unique procurement needs, will mean even more growth opportunities for Michigan businesses.”

Businesses from around the state are invited to attend to visit purchasers at walk-up tables for ad-hoc appointments and to attend breakout sessions to learn more about exporting their products and new manufacturing technology. Companies can also apply to attend pre-arranged, exclusive purchaser-supplier matchmaking engagements at the summit. 

The procurement needs can be viewed at http://www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/pure-michigan-business-connect/b2b/?page=%23summit%2Fagsummit. Michigan companies interested in participating in a one-on-one meeting must complete the online application and identify their qualifications based on the needs listed. Each application will be reviewed, and invitations will be sent to those companies that are the best fit for the specific opportunities.

The priority deadline to apply for a one-on-one meeting is Feb. 22, 2015. All applicants will be notified by March 9 whether or not they have been selected to participate. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered if there are needs that have not been addressed through the initial application window. 

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the MEDC, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources. Companies can find new ways to raise capital, get access to professional business services at little or no cost, connect with each other through a new business-to-business network, and identify potential supplier opportunities, while developing resources to improve their supply chains.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.