Registration Opens for 29th Annual MED Week Conference

Registration Opens for 29th Annual MED Week Conference

Release Date: August 31, 2011
Contact: Tiffani Clements (202) 401-0035
Release Number: 11-48
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

WASHINGTON – Registration for the 29th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference that will bring business leaders and top minority business owners to Washington in September is now open, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today.

The MED Week conference, hosted jointly by SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency will take place Sept. 27-30, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The theme for this year’s MED Week event is “Emerging Industries & Markets: A Blueprint for Success,” and its focus will be on helping minority-owned small businesses expand their operations and establish a presence in the global marketplace while helping them weather current economic climate.

“MED Week celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding minority entrepreneurs and leaders and provides a platform for small, minority-owned businesses to learn about business growth strategies, receive premier training and networking opportunities,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.

“MED Week is more important than ever before as minority-owned firms are seen as a valuable asset and significant source of job creation for the country,” said MBDA National Director David Hinson. “Business owners, corporations, federal agencies will all be in attendance seeking to be a part of the solution to ‘Win the Future’ for America.”

Keynote speakers include Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan. Corporate executives from Honda, General Motors, Chrysler, Northrop-Grumman, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin also will participate in industry-specific workshops on increasing supplier diversity. The conference also will include sessions on high-speed rail construction projects, public utilities and green business.

SBA will present workshops on improving access to its lending and government contracting programs, and increasing business growth by using social media. SBA will participate in a roundtable entitled “Doing Business with the Government.” There will also be a business expo and tradeshow, business-to-business matchmaking sessions and a Small Business Town Hall to discuss the Small Business Jobs Act. For more information on MED Week workshops, or to register for the conference, visit www.medweek.gov.