Aventi Hosts Successful Columbus City Schools Supplier Outreach Event to Strengthen LEDE Program

Aventi Enterprises (Aventi) proudly hosted a successful Supplier Outreach session on November 11, 2025, in partnership with Columbus City Schools (CCS), as part of our ongoing role as the District’s Outreach Services Consultant. The event was designed to strengthen the CCS Local Economically Disadvantaged Enterprise (LEDE) program by increasing vendor engagement, gathering direct feedback from businesses, and expanding participation in District contracting opportunities.

The session attracted significant interest from businesses across Central Ohio, with nearly 40 companies in attendance. Attendees represented a diverse mix of industries, including custodial and facilities services, technology, logistics, professional services, promotional products, wellness, and student-focused programming.

At the session, Aventi led an open Q&A discussion designed to surface real-world vendor experiences and insights working with the District. Vendors shared both success stories and constructive feedback, highlighting opportunities to improve access, communication, and long-term contract sustainability.

Several vendors spoke positively about their partnerships with CCS, noting improvements in responsiveness and support, while others identified areas for continued focus such as navigating capital improvement projects, protecting proprietary ideas, and expanding outreach for vendors providing services directly to students.

LEDE Certification: The Pathway to CCS Opportunities

A central message reinforced during the session was the importance of LEDE certification for businesses seeking to work with Columbus City Schools. If a company is located within Franklin County and the majority owner has less than $750,000 in personal net worth, the company could qualify as a LEDE-certified firm to gain visibility with District buyers and become better positioned to compete for upcoming opportunities across a wide range of service areas.

As CCS’s Outreach Services Consultant, Aventi continues to encourage eligible businesses to pursue LEDE certification as a foundational step toward long-term success with the District.

Aventi Enterprises is proud to support Columbus City Schools in building a stronger, more inclusive supplier ecosystem. By hosting forums like this outreach session, facilitating honest dialogue, and helping vendors understand how to navigate certification and procurement processes, Aventi remains committed to advancing equitable access to public-sector opportunities.

Businesses interested in working with CCS are encouraged to attend future outreach events and begin the LEDE certification process to stay connected and competitive. To become a vendor and to apply for LEDE certification with Columbus City Schools, visit Vendors / CCS Vendors for more information.