August 22, 2011

The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society. You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development. If you like what you read please share internally and externally. How to Register GNEMSDC Expo 2011 Online Some of the recent technology we have introduced is designed to make it easier for corporate members and certified MBEs to participate in GNEMSDC events and activities. Even if you have not confirmed your plans for the GNEMSDC Expo, you should still follow the instructions below so that we can better serve you in the future. In order to register for the GNEMSDC Expo you will need to register with the GNEMSDC site (you only need to do this once, If you already have a log-in skip to #6 ) 1. You can do that by going to www.gnemsdc.org and click on "log-in" on the top right hand side 2. It will take you to a new page where you will see; a. New User b. If you are a new user, to access corporate member/MBE applications, or to register for an event, you must create an online user account [Request Login] 3. Click on Request Login 4. Fill out the information requested and Click on Submit. 5. You will receive an email from Greater New England MSDC, subject GNEMSDC User Registration, open it and click on the "Please Click Here" to confirm your email address. 6. Once you have established a log-in please email tparedes@gnemsdc.org to let me know when you create the log-in so I can change your status from Registered user to Corporate Member or MBE. 7. Once you receive an email from Tatiana stating that I have changed your ID, you will be able to log in and see your company profile and toward the bottom you will see "My Events" and under that you will see - Are you interested in registering for one of our events? Go to our events page. Click on "events page" and you will see the expo information, from there you will see the price for attending the expo, exhibiting and sponsoring. **Annual Sponsors- you do not need to register for the expo, we already have you registered. We look forward to seeing you at the Business Opportunity Conference & Fair** ***Volunteer opportunity available - Contact Volunteer Coordinator (before August 31)*** If you have questions about the portal's features or are having problems, please give Tatiana a call, 203-288-9744. Dr. Melvin Gravely to Speak at GNEMSDC Expo Renowned author and minority business development expert, Dr. Melvin Gravely will be one of the many excellent speakers at this year's GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Conference. Dr. Gravely is the author of several books including his latest book, What is the Color of Opportunity? Dr. Gravely is the President and CEO of The Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking. The mission of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking "is to help our clients improve the outcomes of minority business development and supplier diversity initiatives. The Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking is the leading authority on issues related to minority business development. Although each client interaction is unique, our role is always focused on helping to meet the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing environment. Our clients depend on our significant base of data, and years of experience, to assist them in overcoming the legacy of missed expectations, and creating strategies that produce tangible outcomes." Dr. Gravely has graciously agreed to be the Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tuesday, October 4 and to be on hand throughout the day and will lead a discussion with corporate members Monday, October 3 in the afternoon. Tony Rodriguez of Daniel Penn Associates to Present at National Event President Antonio R. Rodriguez will offer important insights on the potential of today's Hispanic market during banking's premier annual gathering, the BAI Retail Delivery Conference to be held October 11-13 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. As a presenter during the October 10 morning workshop "Maximizing the Value of Key Growth Segments," Rodriguez will share the newly released Census data and findings from independent research on U.S. Hispanics. He will share strategies and best practices that can help banks refine how they serve this diverse, increasingly affluent and largely unbanked population. "Daniel Penn Associates is a management consulting firm with a proven track record of helping companies improve performance and achieve true competitive advantage. Our approach is based on engaging the three core components of business - people, processes and systems - to implement change and achieve sustainable bottom line results. With more than 20 years experience working in myriad business environments, we consistently help clients achieve real savings of 35-45% productivity improvement and 10-30% cost savings through reduced operating expenses and inventories, cost avoidance measures, improved productivity, and increased revenue opportunities." NMSDC/GNEMSDC Upcoming Events, Activities and Information Please take a close look at the events listed below. The links will take you to detailed information about the events. We will have more information for those events that do not currently have live links, but please mark your calendars and call the office. Events and Activities: Education Committee/NFIB joint event with UConn on Sept 14th, 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Edmund & Arlene Grossman Auditorium UConn Health Center, 400 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032 6TH Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference (MED Week) on September 23, NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta Georgia on October 30 - November 2. Information: NMSDC Quarterly Meeting in Boston Pictures are available to view -By Photographer Tom Ficklin View NMSDC Quarterly Meeting in Boston pictures on Facebook View 2011 GNEMSDC Supplier Golf Classic pictures on Facebook Ten Tips for Benefiting from the Expanded Economy - Video Links Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 Opportunities with Corporate Members Democratic National Convention Committee intends RFQ for Construction Manager/Event Architect Request for Proposals If you are a corporate member, and want the Council to spread the word about your opportunity we would be happy to do that for you anonymously and for free! THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT INVITATION FOR BID SCATTERED SITE ROOF IMPROVEMENTS Solicitation Number: 042-PD-11-S Solicitation Date: August 18, 2011 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is requesting sealed bids from qualified, licensed Contractors for the improvements of the roofs at: 1441 - 1459 Park Ave, 156 Sunshine Circle and 488 - 490 Hawley Ave. All bids must be received by 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. No bids will be accepted after the designated time. A Pre-Bid Meeting/Site Walk Through for each property is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2011 as follows: 1441 - 1459 Park Ave, 9:00-9:45 a.m. 156 Sunshine Circle, 10:10-10:45 a.m. 488 - 490 Hawley Ave, 11:00-11.40 a.m. Meeting with BHA staff to review project: 12 Noon at 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. Although not mandatory, all bidders are encouraged to attend the site walkthroughs to better understand the scope of work and technical requirements for each site. A complete set of the plans and technical specifications will be available after 1 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 or by calling 203-337-8820 or 8826. A $50 non-refundable check made out to the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is required. REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS AT NORMAN COURT Solicitation Number: 044-PD-11-S Solicitation Date: August 18, 2011 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is requesting sealed bids from qualified Contractors for the replacement of windows atNorman Court All bids must be received by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. No bids will be accepted after the designated time. A Pre-Bid Meeting/Site Walk Through is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 855 Norman Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. Although not mandatory, all bidders are encouraged to attend the site walkthrough to better understand the scope of work and technical requirements of the project. A complete set of the plans and technical specifications will be available after 1 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 or by calling 203-337-8820 or 8826. A $50 non-refundable check made out to the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is required. ORNAMENTAL FENCE INSTALLTION AT TRUMBULL GARDENS (SUNSHINE CIRCLE) Solicitation Number: 035-PD-11-S Solicitation Date: August 19, 2011 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is requesting sealed bids from qualified Contractors for the installation of ornamental fencing at Trumbull Gardens (Sunshine Circle). All bids must be received by 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. No bids will be accepted after the designated time. A Pre-Bid Meeting/Site Walk Through is scheduled for Friday, August 26, 2011 at 11 a.m., 505 Trumbull Ave, Bridgeport, CT. 06606. Although not mandatory, all bidders are encouraged to attend to better understand the scope of work and technical requirements of the project. A complete set of the plans and technical specifications will be available after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 or by calling 203-337-8820 or 8826. A $50 non-refundable check made out to the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is required.

And Finally... My column last week got the attention of several powerful people. The Mayor of Hartford Pedro Segarra took issue with my note about the vitality of downtown Hartford on a mid week summer evening. We have agreed to meet in September to discuss ways that the Council can be helpful in improving matters in Hartford and ways that the City of Hartford can assist in minority business development. The reason I was in Hartford that evening in the first place was to tape an interview on the Stan Simpson Show. August 10th Dr Fred interview with Stan Simpson Show on "Solving the Current Economic Crisis". The invitation was precipitated because of an editorial I first published on August 4 in the Bay State Banner. August 4th Bay State Banner article by Dr Fred In that article, that has been published in the Hartford Business Journal and the Boston Business Journal , I talked about the need for taxes on high income citizens to be increased in order to address the federal budget deficit and fix what is wrong with the economy. Harsh words and ones that do make many friends in high places., a situation that is becoming all too common. In any case it took Warren Buffett to unwittingly come to my rescue. Last Monday, Warren, I feel it appropriate to be on a first name basis with Mr. Buffett because my middle name is Warren, we agree on taxes on the rich, and our salaries are very similar. Warren's editorial in the New York Times also speaks of the need to address the imbalances in the economy and our fiscal position by raising taxes on the wealthy. August 15, Warren Buffett is once again begging Congress to tax him more. You heard it here first! But I will give Warren the credit by making this a topic of public discussion that has too long been couched wrongly as promoting class warfare instead of appropriate economic policy for the benefit of all. I look forward to meeting with Mayor Segarra and one day meeting with Warren B. and I promise not to stir up any more trouble this week. In your service, Dr. Warren