Minority Business Fair scheduled for potential Vikings stadium vendors

In 2016 the Minnesota Vikings will start a new era of Vikings football in their new Purple Palace. U.S. Bank Stadium will also host Super Bowl 52 in downtown Minneapolis.

Long before those dates, Aramark, the official food and beverage provider for U.S. Bank Stadium and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), will host the Minnesota Minority Business Vendor Fair on Monday, September 21, from 2-5 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It’s for all parties interested in participating in business with Aramark commensurate with its expertise at the new Vikings Stadium.

This initiative is important, and the potential opportunities are big for those in our community who dream and think big. Jim Stapleton, a longtime successful businessman from Detroit, has played a major role partnering with and helping the Vikings’ current ownership group forge forward over the last decade.

Stapleton, who I have known for better than a decade, has run the business operations of the Detroit Tigers, including the operation of Comerica Park. He is passionate about community-based opportunity.

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of chair of MSFA, said, “The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority has a strong record in exceeding inclusion goals on the U.S. Bank Stadium project. We intend to continue this trend on the food and beverage services Aramark will provide at the stadium. Equity, diversity and inclusion are a major and essential part of the MSFA’s mission, and we encourage all businesses who provide food and beverage services to register for this procurement event.”

Aramark’s general manager at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jamie Hodgson, said, “As we continue to develop the food and beverage program at U.S. Bank Stadium, we are looking forward to meeting with local vendors and suppliers and learning more about how their services and products can enhance the game-day dining experience.”

Aramark is committed to furthering the involvement of minority- and women-owned business in their operations. Vikings COO Kevin Warren said, “We are excited about the upcoming U.S. Bank Stadium vendor job fair hosted by Aramark. It is another clear and positive example of the commitment Aramark has made to the Twin Cities community by creating opportunities for a diverse group of individuals.”

You must RSVP your spot by September 18 at usbankstadiumvendors@aramark.com. Vendors on Monday need to bring a one-page summary of your company and the services you can provide.

Hodgson said, “Aramark recognizes the importance and benefits of working with the local business community to assist with our game-day food and beverage operations, and we have numerous opportunities for suppliers in the areas of F&B, repair & maintenance, supplies and service.”

To get in on a billion-dollar project is huge and in many ways a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Vikings COO Warren said, “Diversity has been and will continue to be an important tenet of the Minnesota Vikings Organization.”

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.