Vendor Day strengthens relationship with local community Published May 4, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard will have the 13th Annual Vendor Day May 20at the Midwestern State University Clark Student Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendor Day is an event that gives local and surrounding vendors a chance to showcase their products and services not only to the local public, but to Sheppard Government Purchase Cardholders as well. Attendance is mandatory for all base GPC holders. "It's an opportunity for Sheppard, the 82nd Contracting Squadron, the MSU Small Business Development Center and the (National Contracting Management Association) chapter 128 to get together and co-host an event where local and surrounding vendors can get together all in one venue to highlight and spotlight their products," said 2nd Lt. Troy Kinchen, the 82nd CONS event coordinator. Lieutenant Kinchen said there are 45 to 50 expected vendors. He said with everyone that's been invited, they're expecting approximately 500 attendees. "Each year we invite people like the fire department, government and school officials in order to raise their awareness of what the local and surrounding vendors offer that may help them," he said. "For example, the fire deptartment would appreciate the guys who come out with safety equipment because it gives them a chance to see new and useful equipment that they may need. We also invite personnel from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and Fort Sill, Okla." Lieutenant Kinchen said the event will provide mandatory GPC training while also serving a much bigger purpose. "The bigger purpose of the event is to provide outreach to the local community by holding it outside the base. It used to be on base, but it serves much better off base. It will also give the GPC holders an opportunity to see all of the competition that's out there for the products they're looking to buy."