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Massport Plays Matchmaker
Connects 230 Local Businesses with Opportunity

BOSTON - Boston Logan International Airport bustled more than usual today when hundreds of small businesses, concessionaires, goods & services vendors, prime contractors, and subcontractors gathered together at the Hilton Hotel for a Massport Means Business seminar hosted by the Massachusetts Port Authority. The B2B meeting provided 230 local companies with information on how to do business with Massport, while also giving them the opportunity to network with each other. More than half of the businesses present were Minority/Women/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (M/W/DBE’s).

“Like any other large organization, Massport must purchase a variety of goods and services to operate, maintain and grow its facilities – airports, seaports and real estate,” said Interim CEO David S. Mackey. “Our operations generate more than $8 billion annually in economic impact to the region’s economy, and we want to make local companies aware of our business needs so they can benefit.”

Last month, Massport’s Board approved more than $1 billion in construction and other capital projects outlined in a five-year capital plan. “This provides an incredible opportunity for local businesses to work with us across all our facility needs,” said Mackey.

Massport created additional opportunities at the seminar by implementing a “Speed-Networking” session to give goods and service vendors, and local business owners providing construction and maintenance services the chance to meet one-on-one with a number of regional and national firms that do business with Massport, especially in the areas of design, construction and retail operations. Companies included Airmall; Consigli Construction Company; Gilbane Building Company; J.F. White Contracting Company; Massachusetts Office of Supplier Diversity; Skanska USA; Suffolk Construction Company; Turner Construction Company; Westfield Concession Management; and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.

“We take great pride in building strong relationships with quality-driven, experienced subcontractors on all of our projects,” said Brian McPherson, Director of Workforce Compliance at Suffolk Construction. “Participating in today’s Massport Means Business seminar reinforces our continuous pursuit to recruit subcontractors with a history of quality workmanship, and our steadfast commitment to support local minority, women, and disadvantaged businesses.”

During the half-day seminar, local businesses first listened to Massport representatives from several departments talk about doing business with Massport. It is a goal of Massport to use of M/W/DBE’s and Impacted Community Businesses (ICB’s) in all business opportunities.

“By organizing this seminar, Massport is giving local minority/women-owned, and disadvantaged companies an important opportunity to showcase what they offer, build collaborative relationships and grow their businesses,” said Karen Brodie, President of Women in the Industry, Inc.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities.

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