October 17, 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. 2011 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair 2011 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair to be held October 30-November 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Online Registration is closed. Onsite registration is available on Saturday, October 29, at the Georgia World Congress Center. More than 700 Corporate and minority business exhibit booths. Countless networking opportunities, Special events, meal functions and a black-tie Awards Banquet GNEMSDC will be exhibiting and we have a great theme for this year, make sure you stop by and say hello. 2011 GNEMSDC Trade Expo Survey We are asking every attendee to complete the on line survey to let us know how we can improve on this year's program. The changes we implemented this year were the result of what we learned last year. We realize we have not achieved perfection, but perfection is our goal and we might get close with your feedback and your continued support of our efforts. There is something about the participants in our organization that goes beyond the typical business relationship. I hope to never lose that feeling as we pursue our mission. Thank you from my heart! Trade Expo Survey Day One Trade Expo Survey Day Two Trade Expo Survey Day Three MBE Showcase Gov. Deval Patrick, Dr. Fred, Abul Islam, & Shanila Aslam AI Engineers is celebrating twenty years in business this fall. AI Engineers is an award winning supplier of comprehensive planning, civil engineering, surveying, bridges, transportation, building systems, including sustainable design, construction inspection, contact administration, construction management, and program management services. AI Engineers clients include several federal, state, municipal, and private sector clients around the country. On behalf of the GNEMSDC board, I congratulate you on twenty years of success. Kelley Chunn Kelley Chunn & Associates is celebrating twenty years of positive social change. Kelley Chunn & Associates is a state-certified consulting firm specializing in multicultural and cause-related public relations and marketing. KCA Provide Culturally Smart Strategies to Promote Social Change. Our services include: branding, strategic planning, community relations, corporate communications, "guerrilla" marketing, event planning and management, public affairs, media relations and training. On behalf of the GNEMSDC board, I congratulate you on twenty years of success. MBE Showcase from Trade Expo 2011 Over the next several weeks the newsletter will share with our network the showcases that were presented at the GNEMSDC Expo. We encourage all to take a look at what these MBEs and Corporate Members had to say. The information was informative and well delivered. And if you like what you see and you need their services, give them a call. I am certain they would appreciate it. We start with A.C.P. Cleaning Presentation. www.acpcleaning.com 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: Get Down to Business Minority Construction Contracting Fair -10/20/2011, 7:30 am - 9:30 am Hiring Our Vets: Employer Roundtable , 10/27/2011 Mass. Workforce Training Fund Grant Information Sessions Let's Talk MBE Growth, 10/30/11, 1-5 p.m., Marriott Atlanta Marquis - all MBE Welcome & Admission is FREE Information: Bay State Banner Article "Minority Business Group Moving On Up" - October 13, 2011 Nominations for Small Business Week 2012! - Full Nominations Guidelines Dr Fred interview with MYOB Radio Show 2011 GNEMSDC Trade Expo Pictures by Tom Ficklin MBDA CEO/President David Hinson's Remarks for GNEMSDC MBDA Center Boston GNEMSDC and INE Merger Article by Boston Globe GNEMSDC and INE Merger Article by Boston Business Journal NMSDC Press Release - Conference emphasizes critical links betwwen Corporations & Minority Businesses Opportunity with Corporate Member Corporate member is looking for a High Carbon Steel Strip supplier to participate in Global Event RFQ. This supplier needs to be a manufacturer and should be able to do business globally. Please call office 203-288-9744 for details Invitation to Bid FAIRCHILD WHEELER MULTI-MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Bridgeport, Connecticut State D.O.E Project No. 015-0159MAG/N FAIRCHILD WHEELER MULTI-MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Bridgeport, Connecticut State D.O.E Project No. 015-0159MAG/N Bid Package No.'s 4, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 9b, 10, 15a, 15b and 16 Please click here for details The Housing Authority of The City of Bridgeport Invitation to Bid REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) COMPUTER TRAINING SERVICES Solicitation No: 052-RS-11-S Solicitation Date: October 16, 2011 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is soliciting proposals from computer training firms and/or individuals to assist HACB in providing computer training to public housing authority residents. Proposals shall be mailed or hand delivered by Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 4 p.m. to Mr. Eugene Sumter, Chief Procurement Officer, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. Late proposals will not be accepted. A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Community Affairs Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. The HACB reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any minor informality in the proposal process. A complete copy of the solicitation documents including the form of contract will be available after 1 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2011 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 or by calling 203-337-8820, Attn: Ms. Caroline Sanchez. Boston MBDA Business Center News David Hinson, National Director About Minority Business Development Agency MBDA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce is an entrepreneurially focused organization committed to wealth creation in minority communities. The Agency's mission is to actively promote the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA Vision MBDA's vision is economic prosperity for all American business enterprises. MBDA Mission To foster the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. businesses that are minority-owned. MBDA PROGRAMS National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise Business Services Minority Business Centers Office of Native American Business Development Research and Knowledge Management Advocacy and Outreach Internship Opportunities MBDA BUDGET & PERFORMANCE Annual Performance Report Fiscal Year 2010 pdf 5.83MB Annual Performance Report Fiscal Year 2009 pdf 3.87MB President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request View Strategic Plan for FY 2009 to FY 2012 pdf 2.5 MB MBDA History The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was originally established as the Office of Minority Business Enterprise by President Richard M. Nixon on March 5, 1969. By establishing a federal agency dedicated exclusively to minority business enterprise, President Nixon recognized the impact of minority businesses on the nation's economy and on the general welfare of the country. David Hinson, National Director Bio

And Finally... It is time for certified MBEs to step up their game. I know in some respects I'm preaching to the choir, but it needs to be said and said over and over again. MBEs need to grow and grow rapidly. And the way this is going to happen is by acquiring the competition, and or adding companies that fit into your development strategy. Your development strategy should be bold, well thought out, and clearly articulated. Time needs to be spent on this important activity doing the market research, doing the internal analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of your company, making the connections with sources of capital that every company, regardless of size, must have to execute a serious growth strategy. There will always be room for MBEs that do not have an aggressive growth strategy to supply goods and services to Corporate America, however there is no doubt that the future belongs to the MBEs that seek to become full partners and part of Corporate America. It's game time, or as on commercial boldly says, "it's on". In your service, Dr. Fred