Quicken Loans meets with Michigan suppliers at Pure Michigan Business Connect matchmaking summit

Pure Michigan Business Connect joins forces with Quicken Loans for an invitation-only supplier summit

LANSING, Mich. – Pure Michigan Business Connect joined forces with Quicken Loans today for an invitation-only supplier summit at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. The event brought nearly 250 Michigan companies together with buying teams from Quicken Loans in an effort to spur economic and job growth in the state.

“This matchmaking summit gives Michigan companies unique opportunities with Quicken Loans that they might not otherwise have,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We commend Quicken Loans for its commitment to working with Michigan suppliers and growing our economy.”

Hosted by the MEDC’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program and the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Quicken Loans Matchmaking Summit gave Michigan companies procurement opportunities with 10 Quicken business units. Quicken provided 34 diverse and wide-ranging procurement needs for which they are committed to finding and working with qualified Michigan suppliers. Examples of commodities sought include hardware and software support, promotional marketing items, staffing services, print materials, banners and displays, event décor and swag, and more.

Speakers included Quicken Loans Vice President of Miscellaneous Stuff David Carroll and Bedrock Management Property Management Vice President Lynnette Boyle.

“The PMBC – Quicken Loans Purchasing Summit is designed to bring community and state buyers and vendors together. Seldom do all parties have an opportunity to gather around one table and begin fresh business relationships,” said Quicken Loans Purchasing Team Leader Breanna Morrison. “This is a chance for us to learn how Quicken Loans and the Family Of Companies can partner with Michigan based businesses.”

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.

In 2014, PMBC held more than 20 matchmaking summits that allowed Michigan suppliers to connect with key procurement decision makers. In addition to matchmaking summits, PMBC led multiple global purchasing teams on intensive tours of Michigan supplier facilities. PMBC also organized four visits for Michigan suppliers to visit procurement officers in Atlanta, Seattle and Queretaro, Mexico.

It is estimated that since Pure Michigan Business Connect launched, the program has facilitated more than $2.1 billion in revenue for Michigan companies, which translates into approximately 10,000 jobs for Michigan residents.

Jay Jackson, president of Patriot Packaging Solutions & Consulting in Ann Arbor, has attended three Pure Michigan Business Connect summits and has landed contracts with several Michigan companies as a result.

“Each summit has set me on the path to success. They are informative, professionally presented and ripe with opportunity,” Jackson said. “It’s laid out so professionally for you, all you have to do is show up with some fortitude and determination. Of course no one can guarantee your success but you; however, the Pure Michigan summits go a long way in getting you on your way.” 

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.