E&I Cooperative Services Presents 10th Annual Business Partners Award

Jericho, N.Y. – E&I Cooperative Services (E&I) presented their annual Business Partner Awards during the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) Annual Meeting held in Orlando, Fla., on Apr. 10. These awards, now in their tenth consecutive year, are presented annually to business partners who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and commitment to the membership community.

Nominees were identified by a team of E&I representatives and were evaluated based on criteria including: contract utilization, member purchases, dedication to new member acquisition, programs and level of service provided to members, and member satisfaction. The winners were as follows:

  • The Foundation Partner Award was presented to PPG Paints in recognition of their diligence in building and maintaining a strong, dependable relationship with E&I for over 10 years.
  • The Best in Class Sales Support Award was presented to Concur, whose sales force has demonstrated an outstanding level of engagement with the Cooperative’s membership and with E&I representatives.
  • The Best in Class Member Responsiveness Award was presented to B&H Photo Video in recognition of their outstanding commitment to customer service and support.
  • Steelcase, Inc. was honored as this year’s Partner of the Year in recognition of their strong business growth, customer & product service, responsiveness, and assistance. Steelcase has excelled in providing expertise and solutions to procurement professionals and has worked with E&I on new member recruitment initiatives and other acts of excellence.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide our members with value beyond lower costs,” said Tom Fitzgerald, CEO of E&I. “These business partners have shown outstanding commitment to their E&I contracts and a proactive approach to our membership. They help E&I to achieve our goal, and—in the end—that is what distinguishes us as a top-rate purchasing cooperative.” To learn more, visit www.eandi.org.

About E&I Cooperative Services
E&I is the only member-owned, not-for-profit purchasing cooperative solely focused on serving education and related facilities. E&I delivers expertise, solutions, and services through a diverse portfolio of competitively awarded contracts and consulting services. By leveraging the knowledge and purchasing power of its nationwide membership, E&I helps higher education and K-12 institutions reduce costs, optimize supply chain efficiencies, and save time on the RFP process. The Cooperative’s member-driven competitive solicitation process has been validated by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) as complying with generally accepted procurement standards.

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.