Minority Business Summit Dec. 7

Dozens of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), business owners, corporate executives and procurement professionals in North and South Carolina will converge on Spartanburg, SC, on Wednesday, Dec. 7 for the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council’s 5^th annual regional MBE Summit, co-sponsored by Denny’s and Milliken. The event will connect some of the nation’s largest and most successful MBEs with major corporations to pursue new business opportunities and to share success strategies during challenging economic times.

The MBE Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Milliken headquarters located at 920 Milliken Road in Spartanburg. The cost to register is $50 for CMSDC Certified MBEs and $75 for General Admission, with registrations accepted online at www.carolinasmsdc.org. Complimentary admission is available to media covering the event.

Farad Ali, CMSDC interim president and CEO said, “CMSDC’s MBE Summit is another opportunity to demonstrate the value of supplier diversity. Some of the nation’s top minority businesses and top corporations will come together with the mutual goal of growing their companies and creating jobs.”

The 5^th annual MBE Summit, co-sponsored by Denny’s and Milliken, offers minority businesses a series of beneficial workshops by leading experts on marketing, strategy and finance. The event also provides networking opportunities for minority businesses to meet with top corporations and regional supplier networks. 

“The key to advancement will be leaders who understand that promoting and supporting the development of minority business enterprises (MBEs) not only helps the business community, but is essential to regional competitiveness,” said Ray Lattimore, CEO of Marketplace Staffing of Greenville, and a member of the CMSDC Board of Directors.  “We all benefit when business owners and leaders from across the Carolinas come together to discuss how to continue increasing opportunities for minority-owned enterprises.”

Minority suppliers are among the fastest-growing segment of today’s business landscape. This year, America’s largest corporations will spend close to $100 billion to buy goods and services from minority-owned businesses.  “We are hoping that the fine example of business and civic leadership set by our prominent corporate members and certified minority businesses will motivate other corporations and entrepreneurs to join us in ensuring the success of our economy,” said Lattimore.

To learn more about the MBE Summit, visit Carolinas MSDC online at www.carolinasmsdc.org or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carolinas.msdc.