Campus Market Mixer

New Small Business Event Series

The Small Business Development Office launched its inaugural Campus Market Mixer on January 18th. The first of the groundbreaking event series focused on Promotional Products and featured two certified approved suppliers, Custom Logos and I.D. Me. The event was strategically designed to boost category spending by highlighting the offerings of small businesses fostering connections between campus stakeholders and local suppliers.

The Campus Market Mixer represented a significant initiative to boost small businesses' presence and impact within the UC San Diego community. By inviting top campus spenders to engage with certified small business suppliers, the university aimed to strategically increase support for the local economy while fulfilling its commitment to socially responsible spending.

The event was vibrant and supportive, fostering an environment where like-minded individuals across campus could exchange ideas and explore opportunities for their unique projects. It served as a platform for meaningful interactions between buyers and suppliers, further strengthening the ties between UC San Diego and the local small business community.

Looking ahead, UC San Diego anticipates that events like the Campus Market Mixer will play a pivotal role in driving economic vitality within San Diego by aligning with the university's 25% Economically and Socially Responsible (EaSR) Spending goal by 2025, supporting education and research while championing the principles of responsible procurement.

The success of the Campus Market Mixer underscores the importance of supporting local small businesses and leveraging their expertise to meet institutional needs. As UC San Diego continues to prioritize socially responsible spending, initiatives like the Market Mixer series will provide a platform for exploring a diverse range of exhibitors offering innovative products and services tailored to the university's business requirements.

As the university looks forward, stakeholders are encouraged to consider procuring with local small businesses for future procurement needs. By doing so, they not only contribute to the economic impact of San Diego but also affirm UC San Diego's commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive business ecosystem.

Be on the lookout for invitations to participate in future Campus Market Mixers. These events promise to be instrumental in furthering UC San Diego's mission of supporting small businesses and driving positive change within the greater San Diego community.