Wednesday, June 14 – The Kick-Off
The 2006 Business Opportunity Fair kicked off with a networking reception on June 14 at the Roberts Mayfair Hotel that was well attended by Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and corporations. The reception went on well into the evening with corporate representatives and MBEs networking long after the band stopped playing. Greg Griffin of Monsanto set the stage for the BOF’s success when he commented that at the reception alone, he met several very impressive companies that he might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. Other corporate participants, like Robin Hammer of DaimlerChrysler, came in from Detroit to get in the maximum amount of networking with MBEs like James Qin of Q&C International and John Clendenin of ICLogistics. 

Thursday, June 15

BOF Breakfast Kick-off
The daylong BOF began with an inspirational breakfast speaker, the Reverend Emanuel Cleaver III, who stepped in for his father – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II – who was detained in Washington, D.C.

Reverend Cleaver noted that progress is never easy and that it requires us to keep swinging even when everyone is throwing curveballs. Following Cleaver’s remarks, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay welcomed participants and talked about the recent growth in the city, and noted how important MBEs were to that growth. In closing the breakfast, Tony Trupiano of SSM Health Care – St. Louis invited everyone to the trade fair ribbon cutting ceremony with the exhortation, “Let the business begin.”

The Tradeshow
The tradeshow featured 70 MBE exhibits. No one was surprised to see the crowd that formed at Druids Woodworking’s exhibit table or to hear the signature laughter of Keith Savage, founder of Logistics Resource Solutions, Inc. and BOF committee member, as he power networked. A sizeable team from Production Products was onsite to highlight their commercial manufacturing. Craig Kelly of Corporate Facility Solutions and Bill Adams of Corporate Express were seen in deep conversation, probably discussing how to further the successful partnership they have been building for the last 15 months. If it weren’t for the star power presenting at lunch, it might have been impossible to get the crowd to leave the trade show floor.

The Luncheon
Debra Hollingsworth of AT&T opened the lunch by welcoming St. Louis’ Comptroller Darlene Green and State Representative Yaphett El-Amin and introducing the lunch session’s big names – hometown favorite David Steward, Founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, Inc., and Stan O’Neal, Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 

Steward and O’Neal engaged the crowd with a parlor-style presentation during which the two old friends chatted about the keys to their business success. During the audience question and answer session, O’Neal highlighted three key factors to his climb up the corporate ranks – customer focus, hard work, and integrity.  He also responded to questions ranging from advice on international markets to what he might do differently in his career in retrospect. O’Neal’s advice was not to be timid; because he himself wished that he had been more aggressive and done things more quickly.

The Close
As the day wound down, everyone’s pockets were fat with business cards and their agendas filled with follow-up meetings to discuss partnership opportunities. Corporate and MBE participants agreed that the 2006 BOF was a definite hit. Despite this year’s success, the SLMBC staff is not resting. It already has its sights on making the 2007 BOF even better.

Of course, you are at the heart of the BOF’s success – our corporate members, MBEs, volunteers, and sponsors. Thank you for your continued support. See you at next year’s Fair.

As many of you know, the construction industry is one of St. Louis’ most visible – and at times, controversial – business sectors in the region. From highway expansions to corporate build outs to the building of the new Busch Stadium, construction contracts play a critical role in St. Louis’ economic expansion. During the next few months, the Connections newsletter will explore the construction industry in more detail and talk to various corporate members and MBEs about the importance of securing contracts for our MBEs in the construction arena.

For our first interview, Connections caught up with Greg Griffin, vice president of corporate services for Monsanto, to chat about private sector construction opportunities:

When people talk about construction contracts, the large, highly visible public projects that make the headlines often come to mind. But tell us about the opportunities within private sector construction.
Companies like Monsanto and other St. Louis area companies are in constant need of construction contractors. Whether it’s electrical work, painting, or building development, we have qualified MBEs who can help get the job done. As corporate members, we have to have a conscience. This is our community and it’s up to us to make sure that our MBEs have the same opportunities to bid on construction contracts as the larger contractors.

Many corporations are committed to the inclusion of MBEs in the proposal process, but when it comes to construction, some would argue that there simply aren’t many MBEs in the industry. What do you say to that?
It’s a valid observation, but we can’t use that as an excuse. The goal is to look for opportunities for the MBEs that we currently have in the industry and to find ways to increase the number of future MBE construction companies.

I think it starts with educating young people on the opportunities in the field, to show them that construction is hard work, but it’s a great way to make a living. If we don’t get young minorities interested in construction, how can we ever expect to have more MBE construction companies in the future? I also think large construction companies should provide transportation and tools for young people who are willing to work hard and want to get into the industry, but may not have the resources to do so.

What are some practical ways that corporate members can help open up doors for MBEs in private sector construction?
The first way is simply for members to get out to the networking events to meet with MBEs and to discuss construction opportunities on their company’s campus. MBEs need to know about pending bids. Events like the Business Opportunity Fair are great ways to publicize our needs. Next, we can talk with majority construction companies who do business with us and encourage their use of minority partners. We can also take part in efforts that SLMBC has underway to help MBEs succeed. For example, one of the Council’s Focused Growth Program members is BRK, an electrical company. The company’s owner, Marion Hayes, has an advisory council assigned by the Council to help guide him in the right direction and to offer advice that can strengthen his business and improve his chances of winning contracts. As corporate members, we have to get involved beyond just sending a bid out to MBEs. It’s about an ongoing dialogue.

What about MBEs in construction … what can they do to improve their opportunities to win private sector business?
Again, it’s about networking. Network as much as you can with corporate members. Attend events like the Business Opportunity Fair and MBE education series to learn more about making your business succeed. Meet with corporate members to make sure you’re aware of their current and potential construction needs. If you participate in a bid and don’t win the contract, find out what you could have done differently to win. The bottom line is to be diligent, thorough, and persistent.

Why are you so passionate about making sure that MBEs in the construction industry are given a level playing field?
I’m actively involved in the St. Louis community personally and professionally. I have a commitment to diversity and want to use whatever influence I may have to extend that commitment to the people we do business with at Monsanto. There are certainly no giveaways – anyone who wins a construction contract has to be qualified and win the bid outright. But, I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure that minority businesses are a part of the process. I call it my new trucks theory. I like to see different colored trucks and different logos on our campus. When I do, I know that means we have a good mix of partners helping us with construction jobs. I get excited when I see a new truck because I think to myself, “Maybe this company is going to bring completely new ideas and approaches to completing a job for us.” I like to see fresh ideas and fresh eyes on our campus.

MBEs in Construction
Please visit the SLMBC Web site www.slmbc.org for a list of SLMBC-certified MBEs that specialize in construction in the St. Louis region.