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News Flash! April 2005
Register Now For The BOF!By now, all MBEs and corporate members should have received information in the mail to register for this year's "better than ever" Business Opportunity Fair on June 15. The highlight of the fair will be the trade show featuring MBE exhibits. Plus, there will be dynamic speakers and more networking opportunities in store. Here's what's new this year: . Reception the evening before the BOF at the Hyatt Regency Union Station Support the BOF with your Sponsorship. All sponsors - from $500 to $10,000 - will receive special benefits including breakfast and lunch tickets plus an ad in the BOF Program Book. Plus, all MBE sponsors will receive the Exhibitor Package at no additional charge. Support the BOF with your Advertisement . If you are not a sponsor, you can still support the Council with your ad in the BOF Program Book. All ad materials must be submitted by May 5. For more information about the BOF or to register, visit the Council's website at www.slmbc.org or call 314-241-1143. Pre-BOF Workshop For Corporate And MBEsConsultant Reggie Williams from Atlanta will be here to conduct a workshop on May 17 entitled "Supplier Diversity as a Business Advantage." The morning session from 9am to 12 noon will be directed to corporations and the afternoon session beginning at 1:30pm will be devoted to MBEs. Between sessions, there will be a brown bag lunch/networking session for all participants.The MBE session will also address "How to Work a Trade Show" to help you prepare for the BOF. If you plan to exhibit at the BOF this is "must see" presentation. The workshops will be held at World Wide Technology in Maryland Heights. These events are free for our corporate members as well as our certified MBEs. To register for the MBE session, please contact Harry Moppins at 314-241-1143. Contact Valerie Shelton to register for the morning corporate workshop at the same number. General Membership Meeting Was Wild!The April General Membership meeting was held at the St. Louis Zoo and it was wild.wildly successful and informative. In addition to keynote speaker, Julie Nieman, all MBEs presented a brief introduction and synopsis of their business. Plus, Larry Dill from the Council presented a number of MBE business development, educational and financial services opportunities available through the Council. The meeting was well attended and received enthusiastic response from both MBEs and corporate members. Financing Workshop Makes Dollars And Sense The most recent educational SLMBC workshop, "Alternative Financing Solutions," was a big hit among the MBEs who attended. A panel of five "experts" representing various local and federal funding sources provided new information and answered questions during this two-hour workshop held at Associated General Contractors. The panelists included Denise Phillips, St. Louis Development Corporation; Ann Robertson, St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone; Diane Gruesbeck, Bank of America; Kevin Wilson, Small Business Development Center and Larry Dill , SLMBC. Attendees said the time was well spent, and the Council is following up to address each MBEs specific financing need. The St. Louis Minority Business Council has assumed responsibility for facilitating the Purchasing Officers Network (PON). The PON is comprised of local purchasing professionals interested in growing minority business. This is a great benefit to our corporate members. The program will enhance educational offerings to our corporate membership as well provide an opportunity for members to network and share information. It will also be great tool for MBEs to enhance their business opportunities with member companies.The next meeting will be held May 10 from 7:30 - 9:00 am. You won't want to miss a presentation by Valerie Joyner from Enterprise Rent A Car on the highly successful Buyer/Supplier Forum that was held recently at Enterprise. You'll also hear from several of our local MBEs that are doing business with our membership. Corporate members please call Valerie Shelton at 314-241-1143 to make your reservation.TopBoeing Awards Water ContractThe Boeing Company recently reported that Unlimited Water Processing, Inc. has been awarded the contract to provide water for the St. Louis site. Congratulations to Unlimited Water! If your company is doing business with or has recently awarded a contract to one of the Council's MBEs, we want to know about it! Specialized Support For MBEsIf you're looking for counseling, training or technical assistance to address your specific business needs, then look at what the Counsel is offering certified MBEs. It's specialized business support with assistance from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Every small business can learn more about finance, marketing, production, organization, or could use help with technical issues or feasibility studies. Kevin Wilson, Director of the Empowerment Zone Satellite Center of SBDC, will conduct counseling sessions on Wednesday afternoons by appointment at the Council's office. For more information, call Harry Moppins at the Council, 314-241-1143 or call Kevin directly at 314-621-0816. Welcome New MBEsThe Council is pleased to welcome the following new MBEs that were certified during the month of April: Golf Tournament Survey ResultsThanks to all those who responded to our "mini survey" in the March News Flash! Based on the response, the Annual Golf Tournament, scheduled for September 22 will begin at 10:00am instead of 12 noon. This exciting event features great golf, great food and great networking opportunities. More importantly, it's a fundraising event to help the Council provide ongoing educational programs, and we are seeking your support and sponsorship. Details will be coming soon. For more information about ongoing programs, workshops and general meetings, see our calendar at www.slmbc.org . |