The Port of Houston Authority held its semi-annual Port University workshop during the month of October. Port University, a four-week training course, is an outreach program designed to educate small businesses about business opportunities at the Port Authority. The workshops are presented in collaboration with the University of Houston Small Business Development Center.

More than 40 small business representatives attended the class, where they learned about PHA’s small business program, contracting language, bonding, insurance requirements and the port’s BuySpeed Procurement System. Since Port University's inception in 2003, a total of 609 small business owners have graduated from Port University.

The course included overviews of the Port Authority’s real estate, procurement, risk management, environmental affairs and channel development departments. “Port University is the perfect place for these entrepreneurs to meet the decision makers and learn the ins and outs of doing business with the Port Authority,” said Small Business Program Manager Pedro Gonzales.

PHA participates in more than 50 small business events every quarter through the collaboration with various organizations and agency partners.