Chama Capital featured at City of Chicago Procurement Symposium

On July 13, the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services hosted the 10th Annual Procurement Symposium at Malcolm X College.

Known as a Hub of Collaborative Opportunities, the annual Procurement Symposium (formerly the Vendor Fair) brings together business owners, local, state, and federal agencies, and business support orgs and is designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, learn about available resources, and access government contracting opportunities.

Chama Capital Founder, Christine Saffold spoke on the Access to Capital panel alongside business leaders from BMO, Chase, SomerCor, and World Business Chicago. The panel discussed types of financing for small businesses, what different funders look for, and how to prepare to secure financing and grow your business in current market conditions.

“It was an honor to be a part of a record-breaking event and share tactical resources for accessing capital with the small business owners in attendance,” said Christine.

Christine with fellow Access to Capital panelists

The Symposium brought together over 1,000 attendees — a record for the Department of Procurement Services — from business owners to local, state, and federal agencies to business support organizations.

Mayor Brandon Johnson provided the opening address. The event also featured remarks from Chief Procurement Officer Aileen Velazquez and a keynote address from World Business Chicago’s LaForce Baker. Other panels included Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Economic Development and a Spotlight on the City of Chicago Department of Transportation. Attendees learned from the panels, breakouts, and through conversations with exhibitors about getting certified, the bidding process, and available city and state programs among other resources.

“The Symposium addressed capital and contracting - two huge growth opportunities for businesses - and brought together a diverse set of stakeholders to support growing businesses,” Christine said. “The collaborative nature of the event resonate with one of Chama Capital’s core values, collectivism. I sincerely believe in collective thriving and reciprocity as the way forward in business.”

The Department of Procurement Services is the City of Chicago’s contracting, certification, and compliance authority. The annual Procurement Symposium is one of various events that the Department offers to help Chicagoans learn about available contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. To learn more about the Department, visit https://www.chicago.gov/dps.