The Virginia Beach Minority Business Council will hold its 14th annual Conference and Expo on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St. Event registration and networking will begin at 2 p.m., with a small reception at its conclusion.
This year’s theme, “Going for the Gold – Your Competitive Advantage,” reflects the values of the recent Olympic Games, where vision, strategic planning and focus create huge returns. The conference is a place for small businesses and those owned by women, minorities and service-disabled individuals to market and promote their goods and services. Attendees may network with other business owners, learn strategies that could propel their enterprise to the next level, and share their companies’ capabilities with procurement officials from across the state.
The expo will feature workshops offering expert knowledge on business strategies and financial literacy. The workshops – “Financing Options for Small Businesses” and “Strategic Planning for Small, Woman, Minority and Service-Disabled Owned Businesses” – will offer the most current, relevant information available, presented by industry professionals.
Mark Cartwright, special assistant to the governor for supplier diversity and procurement compliance, will deliver the keynote address. Barbara Hamm Lee, creative services officer for WHRO, will be the mistress of ceremonies. Representatives from the state Department of Minority Business Enterprise, Small, Woman and Minority (SWaM) Program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program will be available.
The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. For more information, contact Sharon Foster or Lavera Tolentino at (757) 385-4438. To register online, visit www.VBgov.com/mbc.
The Minority Business council is an advisory agency to the City Council and city manager for procurement policies and procedures.