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.
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MBE Capital Summit
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NEW DATE: March 15th, 2013 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Eastern Bank 195 Market St Lynn, MA
The GNEMSDC 3rd Annual MBE Capital Summit is hosted by Eastern Bank on March 15th starting at 1pm. This year our Keynote speaker will be John W. Rogers, Jr. Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer at Ariel Investments, Chicago IL.
John W. Rogers, Jr. started Ariel in 1983 at age 24. His original business plan was elegantly simple - buy undervalued small and medium-sized stocks with a proven ability to grow over the long-term, and hold them until they reach full value. The seeds of this philosophy were planted at age 12 when John started to receive gifts of stock from his father on Christmas. Initially unimpressed by the envelopes under the tree - until the dividend checks started coming in - John's fascination with stocks and investing was born. When he launched Ariel, he started a newsletter as a way to advertise his young firm. It was called The Patient Investor, and its masthead featured a turtle.
Much has changed since those early days, yet much has stayed the same. More than 29 years later, we still spend every day searching for undervalued stocks that have demonstrated an ability to grow. Our quarterly report to our shareholders is called The Patient Investor, the masthead turtle is now the firm logo and "slow and steady wins the race, the timeless lesson from Aesop's fable, is our motto.
From our host organization, opening remarks will be made by Bob Rivers, President & Chief Operating Officer at Eastern Bank and a presentation by Charles M. Smith, Vice President, SBA Specialist Business Banking at Eastern Bank.
Eastern Bank understands how vital small businesses are to helping our local economy grow and flourish. We also know that securing capital is one of the biggest challenges for early stage businesses. Our commitment to SBA lending has helped us earn the distinction as the #1 SBA lender in Massachusetts for four consecutive years. In addition, Eastern Bank was also named the #1 SBA lender in New England for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
"Eastern Bank is focused on helping businesses and consumers succeed - that's our role in the market and it should be the role of every bank" said Richard Holbrook, Chariman and CEO of Eastern Bank.
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Attend a
US Small Business Administration & Boston MBDA Business Center Training Session
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Date: February 14, Time: 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Place: SBA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
Federal Contract Certifications:
Small business certifications are like professional certifications; they document a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. Unlike permits and licenses, you do not need to obtain certifications to legally operate. However, in order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications. Learn about these certifications: Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned Small Business, Veteran and Service Disabled, 8(a) Business Development Program, and HUBZone Program.
For reservations, contact Sarah James at 617-578-8900 or sjames@gnemsdc.org by February 8th.
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2013 GNEMSDC 1st Quarterly Meeting
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The first Quarterly Meeting of the year is on Tuesday, February 19, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at City Hall Annex, 999 State Street, Bridgeport, CT
We are inviting buyers and leaders from some of Fairfield County's largest public and private sector buying organizations. We will also conduct a tour of our brand new offices at 333 State Street, right across the street from City Hall.
Please note: There is a public parking garage directly across the street from our office here at 333 State Street. This garage does not take credit cards, it is cash only. Street parking is also available.
Please do not park in Housatonic's parking garage because they are very strict and they tow unmarked cars.
To RSVP contact Jerilynn Clarke at 203-288-9744 or jclarke@gnemsdc.org
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| The University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center is hosting a free series:
Learn to Promote Your Business through Social Media
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 Getting Started with Constant Contact
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 (Storm date: 3/5/13) 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Butterworth Hall 1265 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT.
Constant Contact's Email Marketing tool makes it easy for you to stay in touch with the people who matter to your business and stay top-of-mind by providing meaningful content. In this demo you will learn how to easily build an email marketing campaign, branding it to your business, and publishing it your social networks. Register here. |
| Attend a US Small Business Administration & Boston MBDA Business Center Training Session |
Date: February 28, Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Place: SBA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
8(a) Workshop
The 8(a) Program is intended for business development purposes to help socially and economically disadvantaged business owners grow their businesses, gain a preference for federal contracts, and access sole source contracts
Join us and learn:
* Certification requirements * Program benefits * Application procedures
For reservations, contact Sarah James at 617-578-8900 or sjames@gnemsdc.org by February 22nd.
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| It's Time to Make Your Corporate Awards Nominations! |
If you are a GNEMSDC-certified MBE and you want to acknowledge the outstanding efforts a Corporate member (and their staff) who have exhibited outstanding efforts in developing business opportunities within their companies for council-certified MBEs, now is the time. The winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at our Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday April 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, Massachusetts.
We want to make sure the entire network of certified MBEs and Corporate members participate in this important process. The Council staff does not select the nominees or the winners. Please participate. Self nominations are also accepted. We only ask that if you self nominate, please have a nominator ready to support your nomination. Self nomination is appropriate for both MBE and corporate members. Here's everything you need to know to make your nominations:
The awards open for MBE nominations are:
- Corporation of the Year (NMSDC National Member)
- Corporation of the Year (GNEMSDC Regional/Local Member)
- (Corporate) Buyer of the Year
- (Corporate) Advocate of the Year
- MBE Empowerment Award
Who is eligible for a nomination?
Only active GNEMSDC Corporate Members (and their staff) are eligible for nomination.
What MBEs must do to submit a nomination:
- Complete one Award Nomination form for each nomination
- Write a Letter of Recommendation on your company's letterhead for each nomination
- Submit both your Award Nomination form and Letter of Recommendation for each nominee by email to Gary Stiffler, MBE Input Committee Chair (gstiffler@thematletgroup.com) no later than 5 pm EST, Thursday, Feb 15. Late submissions will not be included in the selection process.
The selection of a winner in each category will be made by the GNEMSDC MBE Input Committee (MBEIC)
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| Requesting Supplier of the Year Nominations! |
It is time for corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs for award recognition that will be presented at the 2013 GNEMSDC Awards Gala on April 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, Framingham MA.
Each year, at our Annual Awards Gala, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (GNEMSDC) recognizes those certified minority suppliers (MBEs) who have distinguished themselves and their businesses by:
* Successfully demonstrating growth in sales and employment while overcoming significant obstacles;
* Consistently providing high quality products and services at competitive prices and offering innovative approaches and cost saving ideas:
* Continuously growing MBE to MBE purchases; and
* Significantly contributing to the growth and development of society and their community.
Greater New England MSDC is invited to nominate MBEs in each of the following categories:
* Class 1 MBEs - Annual Sales Less Than $1 million
* Class 2 MBEs - Annual Sales between $1 million and less than $10 million
* Class 3 MBEs - Annual Sales between $10 million and less than $50 million
* Class 4 MBEs - Annual Sales greater than $50 million
* Reciprocal MBE - MBEs with head quarters outside CT, MA, RI, NH, ME or VT and must be reciprocally certified with GNEMSDC
Nominations received after Friday, February 15, 2013 will not be accepted and will be returned to the sender unopened, there will be no exceptions.
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GNEMSDC Partners with Integrated Wellness Group to offer Relationship Management Seminar Series for MBEs
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 In our on-going effort to improve relationships between MBEs and corporate members we are offering a free three session series by Dr. Maysa Akbar of the Integrated Wellness Group. Dr. Akbar is a certified MBE with the GNEMSDC and a licensed psychologist. Everyone who has been to my CT office knows that I have a couch there where I conduct one-on-one sessions for both MBEs and corporate members. I have been practicing without a license for 12 years (although with great effectiveness - I have never lost a patient). Now we can offer real professional help. Dr. Akbar's observation of MBE and corporate interaction at our trade expo led to some interesting hypotheses. One of those is that MBEs and corporate members can be more successful with each other if we can improve some basic communication skills. Participants in this first set of sessions in Bridgeport and then Boston will target our MBEs. After these sessions we will have some sessions for corporate members. This is going to be fun, interactive, productive and possibly life changing. Sign up for the sessions early. Space is limited. Please e-mail Sarah James if interested in attending, sjames@gnemsdc.org.
Dr. Maysa Akbar is the Founder and Executive Director of Integrated Wellness Group, an MBE practice located in the heart of New Haven, CT. In addition to her work as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Akbar provides motivational coaching, leadership development, and trainings on organizational growth and strategy to both small and large businesses around the nation.
Seminar Schedule - All Sessions are from 12 Noon to 3 PM -Lunch is Included
This series is FREE to all certified GNEMSDC MBEs. For more information, take a look at thisflyer.
Bridgeport: March 1st, March 8th, and March 15
Boston: March 21th, March 28th, and April 4th.
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Upcoming Events
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There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities. We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies. Here are some events you should consider:
- February 14 - SBA & Boston MBDA Business Center Federal Contract Certifications Workshop
- February 19 - 1st GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting - City Hall Annex 999 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- February 28 - SBA & Boston MBDA Business Center 8(a) Workshop
- February 28 - Bridgeport Office Open House - Open House all day, Reception from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
- March 1 - Integrated Wellness Relationship Management Series Begins in Bridgeport at GNEMSDC Offices - 333 State Street
- March 11-14 - National RES Expo (Las Vegas)
- March 15th -MBE Capital Summit, Eastern Bank 195 Market Street Lynn, MA 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- March 19 - Business Finance and Accounting Basics- 3/19 at the Central Library in Copley Square, 6-8pm, co-sponsored by the Kirstein Business Library
- March 21- Integrated Wellness Relationship Management Series Begins in Boston at GNEMSDC office at Copley
- March 21 - Getting Started in Business- 3/21 in Quincy (location is to be determined) 6-8 pm, co-sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce
- April 11, 2013- MBDA Business Center Boston- CEO Round-table
- April 25, 2013 - Annual Awards Gala - Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, MA
- June 10, 2013- MA Golf Outing- Ferncroft Golf Club, Middleton MA
- June 27, 2013- Virtual MED Day
- July 12, 2013- CT Golf Outing- Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield CT
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| Welcome to Our New MBEs |
On behalf of the board and the entire GNEMSDC family, we are pleased to welcome four new MBEs. We encourage our MBEs and corporate members to visit their websites to learn more about our new members.
Over the last decade, Liberty Power has grown from a small start-up to the largest independent retail electricity provider in the United States. Founded in 2001 by David Hernandez, CEO and Alberto Daire, President, the company has grown organically one customer at a time by acting with integrity, building trust, and creating value for the customer. Learn more...
Headquartered in Columbia, SC, South Coast Paper is
an independently-owned paper converting and sales and marketing company offering a diverse line of high quality paper products. South Coast Paper's subsidiary, SouthCoast Solutions, provides paper and packaging solutions nationwide for corporations and commercial printing companies.
Learn more...
Working dogs need to work. My dogs work in the field and at Bridgeport Hospital where they are Certified Therapy dogs. I train my dogs and I train Canada Geese. Like Pavlov and his dogs, I use classic conditioning training procedures with geese to teach them to leave whenever we show up. We have not hurt a single bird nor have we had any negative customer experiences. Learn more...
The Jorgensen Law Firm, LLC provides sophisticated and high-quality legal representation to a diverse group of organizational, individual and government-sector clients throughout the state of Connecticut. Our attorneys and staff are entirely committed to providing accessible and responsive legal representation that is uniquely tailored to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients. Learn more...
VMW Public Relations, LLC is an award-winning public relations agency that enables enterprises to exceed their media outreach objectives. We have the expertise and the resources to devote to your overall communications goals and make your company stand out in the press. We understand the news cycles of the mainstream, industry and local media and we incorporate many proven tactics in our approach to effectively tap target audiences. Learn more... |
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Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, in Framingham is offering a special rate for those who wish to stay overnight for the Awards Gala.
On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors we are appealing to GNEMSDC corporate members and MBEs to consider becoming 2013 Annual Sponsors. Annual sponsorship provides companies with a cost effective way to participate in the major events of 2013. Annual sponsorships also are the most important source of financial support for the GNEMSDC and allows us to better plan all of our events. Please take the time to review the packages below. You can charge your sponsorship to all major credit cards. Also we have a package for MBEs that will allow you to pay semi-annually or quarterly. Thank you for your consideration and support. Call 202-288-9744 for more information or to make your pledge. 
