The Green Bay Packers host a workshop for minority business owners interested in applying to be vendors for the 2025 NFL Draft. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay is on the clock and the NFL is looking for local businesses, especially ones owned by minorities, to provide goods and services for the 2025 draft in Green Bay.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend on Titletown next April for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I’m hoping maybe we can partner up with a few local events, whether it’s sports teams in the area as well as kind of share our corporate discount, I know some employees like to get all dolled up as well as some players and wives, just allow them to have that unique game experience,” said Jarrett Bush, owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar.
Local business owners are looking to score with the crowds as vendors for the draft — everything from fencing and port-a-potties to food and the arts.
According to Cole Ductan, owner of Bay Area Burger Company, “It’s a lot of people that you’re going to reach and that’s been one goal of mine since I started my business, to reach more people, across Wisconsin and even more. So, having a part of the NFL Draft would really extend that reach out.”
Through the NFL’s diverse supplier program, the league is always looking to include businesses owned by minorities, woman, LGBTQ+, veterans or persons with disabilities to its major events. Next year’s draft, in Green Bay, is no different.
“In Detroit, the NFL told us they had about 60 of these types of businesses. They would love to get to a hundred. So we know we want to make sure we’ve got a nice big pool of candidate businesses that we can supply here not only in Green Bay but regionally and potentially across the state,” said Aaron Popkey with the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers inviting interested minority business owners to a workshop at Lambeau Field where they’re learning the ins and outs of being an NFL vendor.
“The session is going to be walking them through the platform of what they need to do to get their information in. Hopefully they’re already certified in one of these categories, if they aren’t we have service providers here that can help them achieve, work towards their certification,” added Barb LaMue with NEW North.
It’s information business owners and employees are anxious to hear as they try to prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Stefania Calzada with The OC said, “We want to just make sure our business is ready for all of the crowds coming in, but we would be happy to do some sort of catering or cater to the event”
While the NFL can’t guarantee every business interested in being a supplier for the draft will be selected, the goal of the program is to lay the groundwork to help these minority owned businesses thrive moving forward.
The Packers are hosting similar events in Milwaukee on June 13 and in Madison on June 18.
Comments