The excitement is building for the upcoming OhioMBE Procurement Fair on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — and we’re thrilled to announce that SSA Group, the official food and beverage operator for the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay, will be in attendance!
SSA Group oversees a wide variety of food service and retail operations, offering potential contracting and partnership opportunities for local businesses — especially in catering, food products, event services, and more.
“We’re creating spaces where small businesses can get in front of decision-makers and make real connections that lead to contracts,” said Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher of OhioMBE and organizer of the fair. “Having SSA Group participate opens the door for vendors in the food, hospitality, and event industries to access opportunities they may not have had before.”
The July 17 event is expected to be one of the largest fairs of the year, featuring scheduled 15-minute appointments with:
- Columbus Zoo (Facilities, Marketing, Purchasing, and HR)
- SSA Group (Food & Beverage at the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay)
- Franklin County Purchasing
- City of Columbus
- State of Ohio
- And more agencies joining daily
Businesses from across Ohio attend to introduce their goods and services, build relationships, and compete for public and private contracts. Space is limited and appointments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
📍 Event Info:
🗓️ Thursday, July 17, 2025
🕛 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📌 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
🎟️ Register at OhioMBE.com
Whether you’re in construction, catering, marketing, consulting, or professional services — this is your chance to get your business in front of major buyers.
Don’t wait — register today, and get ready to make meaningful connections that can grow your business!
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