PPL is always looking to expand the diversity of the businesses that supply much-needed goods and services that help keep the company running.
And its annual diversity-focused conference for suppliers is playing a significant role in accomplishing that.
PPL’s supply chain staff is planning to expand that diverse business base during its Supplier Diversity Conference and Networking Summit on Dec. 6. The free event, which will give business owners a chance to meet PPL leaders and discuss potential supply opportunities, will take place at PPL Conference Center at Walbert, 1639 Church Road, Allentown, PA 18104-9342.
“We’ve seen this event continue to grow and it has been a great way for us to attract diverse suppliers and make the business community and public aware of our desire to do that,” said David Amico, PPL’s Supply Chain director. “We expect this year’s event will help us further expand the diversity of the businesses that provide us with critical products and services.”
It’s the third year for the conference, which was set up specifically for female, minority, veteran, disabled and LGBT business owners as well as for disadvantaged and HUBZone companies. Representatives from more than 80 businesses were represented at last year’s event.
Those who attend also will be able to meet PPL’s category managers who buy the various goods and services, and who will be available to discuss opportunities for suppliers. The deadline to register is Nov. 16. Those interested in attending should register by clicking here. For more information on the diversity conference, click here.
Is this really necessary? Doesn’t PPL offer opportunities on an equal opportunity basis, without discrimination, in accordance with the Civil Rights Laws passed in the 1960s? I say this as someone who served on a diversity committee when I worked for the PA Department of Education. It wasn’t necessary and ended up excluding groups of people, whereas an all-inclusive policy and commitment to adhere to the Civil Rights Act and treat everyone fairly regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual preference – in other words, to treat all humans as people, is all that is needed. These “diversity” committees and all that entails are window dressing and a waste of time and energy.
They serve to further divide people by categorizing them, rather than celebrating people as part of one race, the human race. This is a bandwagon and someone needs to step up to the plate and say, “This isn’t necessary. We respect all people and do not discriminate, adhering to the present laws on the books.”