(AUSTIN) — The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program’s 2016 Procurement Connection Seminar and EXPO is in Beaumont on Thursday, Feb. 18. The event, which is open to the public, is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ford Park Event Center, 5115 Interstate Highway 10 South.

A HUB is a Texas-based small business that must be at least 51 percent owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, American woman and/or service-disabled veteran, who resides in Texas and actively participates in the control, operations and management of the entity’s affairs. The statewide HUB Program facilitates the education of HUBs in state procurement and provides them with information on the state’s procurement process.

This event allows HUB-certified businesses and vendors interested in becoming HUB-certified the opportunity to network with state agencies and cooperatives and learn about the HUB program. Scheduled workshops will cover topics including marketing plans for small businesses and services available to veterans.

Learn more about the EXPO and the HUB program by visiting the Comptroller’s website atTexas4HUBS.org.