With big financial businesses failing, smaller businesses were offered a platform for success at the Supplier Diversity Networking Fair Wednesday.

The third annual Supplier Diversity Networking Fair, also called “Building Purchasing Partnerships With Minority and Female Business Enterprises,” was held in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

The fair housed about 100 businesses, said Al Mueller, director of Procurement and Human Resources.

“People make connections here,” Mueller said. “Everyone hears about the big companies on TV, and not the small ones.”

Some small businesses are owned by women, minorities and people with disabilities, he said. Some of the fair’s vendors included printing services, office and library supplies, medical and scientific supplies, food supplies, telecommunication equipment and plumbing and tire supplies.

Mueller said NIU purchases goods and supplies from these businesses in accordance with the Illinois Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females and Persons with Disabilities Act, which has been in effect since Aug. 28, 1994, and is under Illinois’ Business Enterprise Program (BEP).

Some of the university’s staff, faculty and students were present at the fair.

Darla Brantley, from the Literacy Education department, said there was a large variety of vendors and products to view.

“I learned about the different products that you normally don’t have access to,” Brantley said.

Vendors from near and far attended the fair.

Deanna Watkins, president of Sweet Dreams Desserts and Catering located in Sycamore, said this was her second time at the fair and being there was a success for her business.

“It’s been a college education for me since I learned a lot about marketing, networking and hiring and firing employees,” Watkins said. “It’s been fun, there has been tears, and we learned a lot.”

Laura Coulter, project manager for Beaird Group located in Naperville, manages a company that provides ongoing managerial and professional support through sales and marketing, finance, executive support and human resources. She said the company was founded by a woman and is run by all women.

Coulter said the fair provided an opportunity for networking.

“To see if the school could use our services,” Coulter said.