MBE Orientation - Today, January 27
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MBE Orientation is scheduled for January 27, 2014, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
GNEMSDC Bridgeport Office
333 State Street
Bridgeport CT 06604
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You are invited to attend a GNEMSDC/MBDA Export Event - January 28
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We hope you will be able to join the Bridgeport MBDA Business Center and the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for a very informative event on how exporting can help your business grow. Even details
We urge you to RSVP as soon as possible to Jerilynn Clarke (jclarke@gnemsdc.com) as space is limited to the first 25 companies.
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You are Invited Mohegan Sun Vendor Fair - February 3
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You're invited to attend Mohegan Sun vendor fair on February 3 from 12 to 2 PM and 6 to 8 PM (2 sessions). at
Comfort Inn and Suites, 85 American legion Highway, Revere, MA 02151
These sessions will be led by Paul Suprenant, Mohegan Sun's Director of Purchasing
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MBE Pre-Certification Webinar - February 4
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The MBE Pre-Certification Webinar will be hosted on February 4, at 2:00 pm
***The registration for the call will close at 1:00 pm on the day of the call***
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1st GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting - February 5
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**Please be sure to register by Wednesday January 29th. For security reasons there will not be on-site registration**
On Wednesday February 5, 2014, Aetna will host the quarterly meeting at their location at 151 Farmington Ave, Hartford CT 06156 from 1:00 pm- 4:30 pm. Please arrive early. Aetna is a secure facility and you will need to show a valid form of identification when you check in. Please register early. If you are interested in attending, please email to jclarke@gnemsdc.com and provide your name and company.
The meeting will begin with opening remarks from Joseph C. Black, Jr., Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer for Aetna. Read his bio here.
In addition to presentations by Aetna, we will also have a presentation by Google where GNEMSDC MBEs will learn more about the collaborative effort by the GNEMSDC and Google. We are going to be talking about how business over the next decade will be done!
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Growing to Scale Development Workshop - February 18 to 20
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 The Growing to Scale Workshop is a program for small business owners to expand and improve their businesses exponentially. The workshop will deliver powerful strategies for increasing sales by joint ventures, strategic alliances; results based marketing and other proven strategies. The Growing to Scale Development Workshop is the blueprint to grow your business quickly and safely. Gain knowledge from a faculty that has actually grown successful businesses and can help you grow yours.
The Growing to Scale program will run for two and half days from Tuesday, February 18 through Thursday February 20. The program will take place at our MBE Training Room at 333 State Street in Bridgeport, CT. Please mark your calendars. Learn more here.
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| Harvard Business School Professor Steven Rogers to Speak at 2014 Capital Summit - March 12 |
 The fourth annual GNEMSDC/MBDA Capital Summit will take place this year at Bank of America's main office in downtown Boston on March 12. In past summits we have featured Stare Treasurers from Massachusetts and Delaware. We have also had the presidents and CEOs of some of the major financial institutions in the region participate from Eastern Bank and Bank of America. We have also featured senior leaders from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. This year we are extremely proud to have Professor Steven Rogers from Harvard Business School as our keynote speaker. This event is free, and there are a limited number of seats available. Please call Sarah James in Boston or Jerilynn Clarke in Connecticut to reserve your seat. (If you reserve a seat and do not show up, we will charge you $250.00.) See the link below to see the event flyer for more details Even Flyer |
Diversity Business Summit
The premier employment conference and Procurement
Trade Fair in Sports! - April 14 & 15
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The premier employment conference and Procurement Trade Fair in Sports!
 
Co-hosted by New York Yankees
New York City April 14th & 15th
Diversity Business Summit
Jackie Robinson Day - April 15th.
Registration is now open! Matchmakers are available and filling up fast! More information and registration are available at www.mlb.com/diversitysummit Click here for details
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| Photo Memories from the GNEMSDC Gala in 2010 |
 One thing to inspire you to sign up for the 2014 is to take a look at these photos from the 2010 Awards Gala in Boston that included Magic Johnson, Governor Deval Patrick and hundreds of BEAUTIFUL MBEs and corporate members. Take a look and share!
The 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala is Tuesday, May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT.
Photos by Dimonika Bizi
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2014 Supplier and Corporate Award Nominations
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It is time for MBEs to identify Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) corporate members and their staff members who have exhibited outstanding efforts in developing business opportunities within their companies for council-certified MBEs. It is also time for corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs for Supplier of the Year Awards. It is an honor to both corporate and MBE nominees. to be recognized by their customers and their peers. The winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at our Annual Awards Banquet on
Tuesday, May 06 at the Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, Connecticut
The following awards are open for nomination:
* Corporation of the Year (NMSDC National Member)
* Corporation of the Year (GNEMSDC Regional/Local Member)
* Buyer of the Year
* Advocate of the Year
* MBE Empowerment Award
Please click on the following links to view forms:
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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:
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| Fairfield County Community Foundation Provides Grant to 2014 GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program |
 The Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) recently announced the awarding of a $25,000.00 grant to the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) to support its Advanced Leadership Program (ALP). Minority business owners in the program receive executive training from business school professors from the Harvard Business School and the Yale School of Management. The program covers marketing, finance, competitive strategy, organizational development, and leadership. In addition to the Ivy League business professors, C-Level executives from the GNEMSDC corporate membership speak to the business owners about their executive challenges and how they attempt to solve those challenges.The GALP will start the second year of the program on Friday October, 10, 2014. Entrepreneurs interested in attending the program should contact the GNEMSDC at 203-288-9744 or visit them atwww.gnemsdc.org. The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes philanthropy to build and sustain a vital and prosperous community where all have the opportunity to participate and thrive. For more information about the FCCF please visit www.fccfoundation.org. |
| Corporation of the Week: Cartus |
 Cartus is the trusted mobility industry leader, guiding our clients through thousands of relocation programs, large and small, unique and complex. Specifically, we provide our clients with logistical relocation and assignment support as well as international assignment compensation services, intercultural and language training, and consulting services. Using our nearly 3,000 employees-more than 800 of which are based in Europe and Asia-and 20 offices worldwide, Cartus assists nearly 160,000 transferees, assignees, and employees each year across 165 countries where we provide services.
Cartus is part of Realogy Holding Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation, and settlement services. Cartus is part of Realogy Holding Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation, and settlement services.
Supplier Diversity
Our Supplier Diversity Program helps build an awareness of the social responsibility of our company, our employees, and our partners/subcontractors to provide opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. Our plan is not just a response to outside regulatory or other requirements; rather, our proactive efforts recognize and support initiatives that enhance the communities we serve and provide an economic stimulus for diverse businesses. Our goal is to maximize participation through the development of mutually beneficial relationships with these diverse organizations on all contracting and subcontracting levels.
To learn more about our supplier diversity initiatives and how to register as a certified minority- or women-owned supplier, visit our
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| MBE of the Week: SONS SPECIALTY GAS, LLC |
 Sons Specialty Gas, LLC is established in 1999, Sons specializes in providing a wide range of high performance gas handling equipment for all scientific, medical, and industrial applications. Sons is proud to deliver large-distributor technical knowledge and expertise, with small-distributor customer service and responsiveness.Our mission is to develop a strong and productive partnership with each of our clients by going the extra mile to fulfill your specialty gas needs-regardless of size or complexity-24 hours a day, seven days a week. And with our exclusive in-house invoicing services, we guarantee that you'll realize immediate savings through cost control and historical billing analysis, and will never experience unexpected add-on surcharges or over-billing. As a Minority, Female Owned Business and Small Disadvantaged Business-certified with the State of Connecticut Set-Aside Program and U.S. Small Business Administration-we are able to leverage partnerships with various manufactures to offer our customers the best price, the most efficient turn-around-time and personal service that is second to none. Our customers trust that when it comes to their specialty gas needs, Sons has the technical knowledge and the expertise to meet-or exceed-their expectations. That's why we guarantee your satisfaction 110% |
Opportunity In Greater Boston
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Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and CropCircle Kitchen have teamed up to redevelop a former meat packing facility in Dorchester into the Pearl Food Production Center.
This 36,000 square-foot, single-story building will contain three types of food production spaces:
(1) a shared commercial kitchen run by CropCircle Kitchen
(2) a food truck commissary kitchen also run by CropCircle Kitchen
(3) 7 to 8 separate spaces for lease by food businesses in a mezzanine stage of growth.
Pearl is now seeking food business tenants for all three space types. Pearl will open for business in April 2014 and tenants should be able to move in and begin production in April 2014.
To learn more about the project and to start an application, visit:
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Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
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| Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport RFP |
 Request for proposals for Deconstruction Training Program for Residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport.
Solicitation # 001-RS-14-S
The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is currently seeking Proposals for deconstruction training for residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport, CT.
Proposals must be received by FEBRUARY 27, 2014 @ 3:00 PM. A pre-Conference meeting will be held at 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on FEBRUARY 11, 2014 @ 11:00 AM. Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a proposal for the project without attending the pre-conference meeting may not be in the best interest of the Proposer. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from HACB's front desk at 150 Highland Ave beginning on JANUARY 27, 2014 @ 1:00 p.m.
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| FYI |
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| And Finally... |
Over the past three weeks, I have discussed the effect of changes in the NMSDC network on local and out-of-region MBEs and national corporations. Today I will focus on the impact of these changes on local corporate members. First and foremost, we are already seeing a number of local members opting to become NMSDC members and not rejoin the GNEMSDC directly. This is not as bad as it sounds as long as those new NMSDC members and members who once had memberships in both the NMSDC and the GNEMSDC who now only have membership in the NMSDC, remain active with the GNEMSDC. The NMSDC is directing local members, with more than one regional affiliate membership, to become NMSDC members. I am confident that these new NMSDC members will continue to be active with the GNEMSDC and our MBEs. The GNEMSDC will continue to receive support from these new NMSDC members who were formerly only members of the GNEMSDC. When it comes to how we service these new NMSDC members; nothing will change. The fact of the matter is, we never made a distinction between national and local members when it came to responding to their calls for assistance. This will remain the case.
But for local members who are not contemplating joining the NMSDC they too will see changes. In the past, local members could go to the NMSDC MBISYS database and search for local and reciprocal MBEs. Since there are no longer reciprocal MBEs, local corporate members will only be able to see local MBEs and MBEs located outside of GNEMSDC territory that have signed up for our "Subscription Services". (These services were defined in this newsletter over the past three weeks.) We are hopeful that we will be able to attract more local MBEs and "foreign" MBEs (I have not figured out what to call those MBEs we once labeled "reciprocals", foreign sounds so threatening.) For foreign MBEs, having access to our local corporate membership through our Subscription Services program is a tremendous value for them and local members.
Our plan is to continue to support our local corporate members with information and programming that will enhance their minority supplier development efforts. For example, local members will have the ability to connect with our MBDA program more effectively through the MBDA Diversity Smart Track program. This program will allow local (and interested) NMSDC members to actually contract on-line with MBDA clients. These clients will often be those former reciprocals who are now taking advantage of the GNEMSDC Subscription Services plan. These MBDA clients (all MBDA clients are MBEs) will also include some excellent local GNEMSDC MBEs. The MBDA program is looking to expand our already successful efforts of linking MBDA clients with large corporations to seek Federal government contracts. This could have an immediate top line benefit to local corporate members seeking to expand their business in the federal space. Participation in the MBDA Diversity Smart Track program is free to local corporate members.
The GNEMSDC is also focusing our corporate showcase program to support local corporate members. These showcases allow the local corporate members to host or co-host an event with the GNEMSDC. Corporate showcases bring certified MBEs and corporate buyers together in a controlled environment. We can design these corporate showcases on an invitation only basis or one that is open to the general certified MBE community. With our relationship with CWE, the local WBENC affiliate, we can make these events inclusive of certified WBEs as well. This program is free to local corporate members.
Local corporate members will also be able to access training events designed not only for diversity professionals, but for others in corporate supply chain management. One of our first events for local (and national) corporate members is a training program for Cyber Security (ISO 27001). With all of the news on data breeches, this is something that is top of mind with many corporations. This seminar will take place exclusively for corporate members in Bridgeport. We are working on dates now.
Local corporate members can also advertise in the GNEMSDC e-newsletter for free. If you get us the copy and artwork by Thursday it can be published that coming Monday. This is a great tool to get information out about procurement and employment opportunities at your company.
A major benefit to local Corporate members is the ability of the GNEMSDC to assist certified MBEs become more competitive contributors to your supply chain. The development of local MBEs is good for our local corporate members on so many levels. The development of local MBEs not only can reduce cost, improve quality, on-time performance and innovation, it also builds a sustainable local and diverse business community that provides customers!
We know that one of the main reasons local corporate members join the GNEMSDC is to get high quality information on certified MBEs. In 2014, our Corporate Services Group (Andie Kim) in tandem with our MBE Services Group (Jennifer Little-Greer) will be able to turn around a request for MBEs in specific industry categories within 24 hours. We encourage corporate members to call the office if you are looking for certified MBEs in specific NAICS.
These services and more are what our local GNEMSDC members will receive as part of their membership. We are going to a major push in trying to recruit new local corporate members. We believe strongly that the more local corporate members we can attract, the more opportunities there will be for local MBEs in Greater New England. We appreciate the support of local and NMSDC members and MBEs in this effort. We are looking forward to a very strong 2014 with your support.
In your service
Dr. Fred
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