ST. LOUIS, MO -- The Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation will host two events next month to help minority contractors learn more about opportunities to do business in the transportation industry.

The Mississippi River Bridge DBE Suppliers Expo will be held on Thursday, November 5 and the Joint Venturing & Strategic Alliance Seminar on Tuesday, November 10. Small businesses may be considered DBEs if they are owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).

During the Suppliers Expo, on November 5, DBEs will display and demonstrate the products they provide that can be used in heavy highway and bridge construction.  DBEs are encouraged to participate if the firm can supply the following items:

Aggregate, Asphalt, Bearings, Box Beams, Cement, Concrete, Culverts, Drainage Systems, Electrical Conduit, Epoxy/Protective Coatings, Expansion Joints, Light Poles, fixtures, bulbs, etc., Metal, MSE Panels, Nails, Paint (Protective Coating), Precast Concrete Girders, Precast Deck Panels, Reinforced Concrete Pipe, Safety, Sand, Sheet Pilings, Steel (Reinforcing/Structural), Steel Girders, and Struts.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. The expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MoDOT's Transportation Management Center, 14301 South Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017.  Reserve a booth for the expo by calling 314-453-1871. 

     The Joint Venturing & Strategic Alliance Seminar will be held Tuesday, November 10 with Joseph Colagiovanni, chair of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP construction practice, leading the seminar.

            Mr. Colagiovanni is a member of the firm's Real Estate, International and Hospitality groups. His practice centers on construction, architectural, engineering and development law (including related finance), both domestically and internationally.

He has counseled and advised minority businesses in the construction, design and development areas.

DBEs interested in the Mississippi River Bridge project are invited to attend the seminar to learn how to develop strategic alliances, joint ventures and partnerships.

The seminar will be held November 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at MoDOT's Transportation Management Center, 14301 South Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO. To RSVP for the seminar, call 314-453-5029.

        All Missouri and Illinois Certified DBE suppliers, prequalified firms, contractors, and subcontractors interested in bidding on the Mississippi River Bridge project, are invited to participate in these free events. 

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