Packers look for vendors for NFL Supplier Diversity Program

The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce was one of the many organizations assisting minority businesses during the workshop. Kris Leonhardt photo

Posted Saturday, June 8, 2024 11:47 pm

Vendor — The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce was one of the many organizations assisting minority businesses during the workshop. Kris Leonhardt photo

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor-in-chief

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers are looking for vendors to participate in the NFL Supplier Diversity Program for the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Packers, assisted by workforce and certification organizations, hosted a workshop on May 28 to educate businesses on obtaining the needed certifications to become a vendor.

Through the NFL Supplier Diversity Program, the league is focusing on businesses owned by minorities, veterans, women, LGBTQ+ and individuals with disabilities.

To qualify, businesses must show 51% ownership by minorities, veterans, women, LGBTQ+ and individuals with disabilities, and must have established an office in Wisconsin before 2019.

The program was created to “promote equitable and inclusive procurement practices by exposing experienced suppliers to the NFL and Packers vendors/business partners and consists of professional development workshops, building strong community relationships and fostering economic growth in NFL markets.

Jessie Leonard, director of established business program and services with the Women's Business Development Center, speaks during the May 28 workshop at Lambeau Field. Kris Leonhardt photo

Managed by the league, consultants work with committees and partners to identify local, diverse suppliers to participate in the program.

“The NFL, for their flagship events, has a diverse suppliers program formerly called Business Connect, and it’ll get announced here in the future what it is going to be rebranded as an even more concerted effort to engage diverse businesses. So we’re excited to be a part of that,” Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey told workshop participants.

“The NFL wants this to be a legacy type of event for our community in so many different ways and your businesses are part of that. You know, they want this to be an event which businesses can plug in and be vendors, but they also want it to be an event that takes those businesses into the future, into the next level.

“We at the Packers had a little bit of experience with our Packers Mentor-Protege program, helping young businesses take that next step. So we’re really excited to learn more about this program and how this is going to do things in a similar way.

“In Detroit, the NFL engaged with about 60 diverse businesses to help put on the draft there last month. What they told us is that they want to grow that number and are hoping to have 100 businesses here in 2025.”

Vendors the Packers organization is planning to work with for the Draft include: audio/visual, contract labor, event production, heavy equipment, barricade, entertainment, florals, janitorial, catering, concessions, event services, general contractors and transportation.

Other vendor needs include business administration services, legal services, management and advisory services, financial services, marketing, advertising and information technology services.

To apply for the NFL Supplier Diversity Program, businesses must receive the necessary certifications.