2007 BOF Helps Attendees Shift Business Growth Into High-Gear

For several months, SLMBC has posed the following question to MBEs: “Which direction is your business growing?” More than 50 MBEs received their answer at the 22nd annual Business Opportunity Fair held on June 12, 2007, at the St. Charles Convention Center. Participants received strategies, coaching, and information to help them move their businesses to new levels of growth and expansion. MBEs also showcased their products and services to 200 corporate and government procurement representatives who attended the annual Trade Fair.

Several highlights made this year’s BOF one of the best yet:

• The unveiling of the state-of-the art “Enduradyne Mobile Shelter System” developed by Production Products, Manufacturing and Sales. Measuring in at 69’x 22’, it was displayed as an “Air Shelter Mobile Hospital.” Barry Corona, president of Production Products, Manufacturing and Sales, received the BOF 2007 New Product Introduction Award for his innovation and technological prowess.
• Wes Hall, author of You Are the Money, offered high-powered business insight during the Get In Gear Breakfast. Hall challenged audience members to: 1) develop and produce quality products; 2) know their purpose and feel good about what they’re doing; and 3) direct their compass to those products and services that will make buyers happy and satisfied.
• The On-the-Move Luncheon speaker, Brian Tippens, supplier diversity manager - Hewlett-Packard Company, offered strategies for entering the global market place via e-commerce. He also stressed the benefits of researching and assessing the marketplace, discussed current trends, and highlighted local MBEs who are making significant strides in business.

• Annetta Vickers, CEO of T.A.B. Company, who received the 1st Place Image Award for her booth and product display.
• S2 Tech and Unlimited Water, who were the 2nd and 3rd Place Image Award recipients.
• Ted Salvia, representative with Puckett Floor Coverings, who won a $250 MasterCard gift card in a special drawing.

On May 23, 2007, Boeing became one of the newest members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an organization created in 2001 to bring together major corporations that make meaningful and measurable contributions to the economic growth of minority- and women-owned companies. Specifically, the roundtable recognizes corporations that achieve spending of at least $1 billion annually with minority- and woman-owned suppliers. In 2006, Boeing spent more than $2 billion dollars. The roundtable also promotes and shares best practices in supply chain diversity excellence, and encourages dialogue on common issues, opportunities, and strategies related to diverse business.

If you’re an MBE looking for professional business consulting, and access to markets, capital, education, training, and technology, the St. Louis Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) is for you. The MBEC offers all of these services and more to “rapid-growth” minority-owned businesses with annual revenues of $500,000 or more whose owners want to grow their businesses. David Stephens, project director, and Dana Hill, director of MBE Development, say that when given the right tools, businesses supported and guided by the MBEC can grow their revenues and create new jobs, while greatly impacting the region. They add that the MBEC works hard to introduce minority firms to public and private buyers who are seeking well-positioned suppliers with goods and services they need. If you are a qualified MBE, David and Dana encourage you to give them a call so you can learn more about the MBEC and begin taking advantage of the services and resources available to you. You can reach David and Dana by calling the MBEC office at (314) 241-MBEC (6232).

MBEC, providing experienced consultants and resources for optimum growth and development:

• Operations Management
• Accounting and Financial Management
• Business Plans
• Marketing Strategies
• Loan Packaging
• Logistics
• Supply Chain Management

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Topic:

Alliance for Minority Procurement (AMP) Corporate Members Only

MBE-to-MBE Business Card Exchange and Recruitment Reception

New MBEs and Reciprocals

New MBEs

B-Tech CMS
Mr. Stanley Boyd, President
102 August Pl.
Florissant, MO 63034
Phone: (314) 369-8625
Fax: (866) 493-1099
E-mail: sboyd@btechcms.com

Products/Services:  Complete and final cleaning of industrial and commercial buildings; demolition and floor restoration.

JM Operating Services, LLC
Mr. Jimmie Miller, President
2233 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 588-2360
Fax: (314) 588-8826
E-mail: jmiller@millercontractingservice.com

Products/Services:  Employs operators to operate equipment/elevators.

Miller Building Group
Mr. Jimmie Miller, President
2233 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 588-2370
Fax: (314) 588-8826
E-mail: jmiller@millercontractingservice.com

Products/Services:  Miller Building Group performs framing, drywall, rough carpentry, taping and trim.

Miller Demolition Company
Mr. Jimmie Miller, President
2233 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 588-2365
Fax: (314) 588-8826
E-mail: jmiller@millercontractingservice.com

Products/Services:  Provides interior/exterior demolition, final clean-up/general labor and heavy highway work.

Khurshid Petroleum, Inc.
Mr. Khurshid Muzaffar, President
12755 St. Charles Rock Rd.
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Phone: (314) 298-0448
Fax: (314) 298-0447
Email: Khurshid-muzaffar@hotmail.com

Products/Services:  Distributor of gas and diesel fuel.

TI Electronics, Inc.
Mr. Greg Martinek, President & CEO
W133 N5139 Campbell Drive
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Phone: (262) 783-6080
Fax: (262) 783-4959
Email: ptrivedl@mtielectronics.com
Website: www.mtielectronics.com

Products/Services:  Manufacture of printed circuit board assembly (surface mount & thru-hole), layout, in-circuit & functional test; test design and full box builds; design, manufacturing & testing of ceramic-based hybrid circuits.

M & J Contracting Services, LLC
Mr. Willard M. Fields, President
4126 A. Arsenal Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: (314) 664-8086
Fax: (314) 664-4290
Email: mjcontracting@sbcglobal.net

Products/Services:  Demolition contracting firm specializing in mechanical demolition.

Medi Globe, Inc.
Mr. Prahan Cumarasamy, President & CEO
2 City Place Dr., Ste. 200
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: (314) 812-2772
Fax: (314) 812-2505
Email: prahan@mediglobeusa.com
Website: www.mediglobeusa.com

Products/Services:  International healthcare consulting and business development organization; provider of medical billing and collections, RN recruitment, medical transcription, surgical supplies, Web hosting, and financial consulting and accounting services.