Vendor Show Offers Chance to Connect

There was a special guest at the 29th annual Ernst Jaffé Science and Services Expo held on May 9 in Lubin Dining Hall: Albert Einstein. Actually, four Albert Einsteins—thanks to the creative services team whose staffers set up life-size cutouts of the esteemed scientist around the expo.

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A vendor discusses a product

Attendees were encouraged to take selfies with the larger-than-life "Uncle Alberts" situated among the vendors' booths, to enter their photos for a chance to win raffle prizes. An innovative floor plan depicting where vendors were located, spearheaded by Randy Osi, scientific purchasing manager, made it easier for attendees to find their way to each of the 86 vendors they wished to visit.

The annual event provides members of the Einstein community the chance to meet and mingle with vendors they don't typically see face to face. More than 600 members of the staff and faculty attended this year's event, which celebrates the relationship Einstein has with the vendors it depends on to keep the College of Medicine running every day.

"The expo was a hit," said Jack Zencheck, Einstein's associate vice president for business services. "We appreciate the relationship we have with our vendors, and both they and members of our community look forward to the opportunity the expo offers them to connect," he added before he and Dr. Ed Burns, executive dean at Einstein, honored vendors for their service to the medical school.

This was the fifth year that procurement services recognized select vendors for their dedicated service working with the College of Medicine.

Atlantic Tomorrow's Office won the Ernst Jaffé Award for its outstanding service and relationship with Einstein.
Medline Industries, Inc. received the Innovators Award for creating a dynamic solution for a department at Einstein.
Specialty Underwriters took home the Vendor of Excellence Award for its overall excellence in a wide range of criteria.

The expo is named for Einstein's former dean, Dr. Ernst Jaffé, who was an early supporter of the event when it was established 29 years ago. This year saw several new vendors including a minority women-owned business offering scientific products and several of Einstein's own cores and facilities.

"Because the vendor show is attended by a broad cross-section of researchers, we thought we would give them a chance to meet us and see how our services can help their research," said Scott Garforth, operations director of Einstein's Macromolecular Therapeutics Development Facility. "More people are now aware of the services that we offer, and it was a great way for us to meet them and learn what their needs are and how that might fit with our services."

"Next year is a milestone, so be sure to mark your calendars," Mr. Zencheck told the crowd.

The 30th annual Ernst Jaffé Science and Services Expo will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.