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Marketplace Offers Opportunities for Minority-Owned Firms
For Immediate Release: September 3, 2009 MADISON - Minority-owned businesses seeking sales leads and development assistance should attend the 28th annual Marketplace Trade Fair, to be held Sept. 16 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Country Springs Inn, Pewaukee. "Marketplace 2009 is a great opportunity for businesses to learn how to increase access to capital," said Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel. "It's also a wonderful showcase for their unique products and services to government procurement officers and corporate buyers." This year's keynote speaker is Melvin Gravely II, Ph.D, founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking, which is nationally known for providing leadership and research to support minority business development. He also founded a civil engineering firm and grew it to a multimillion-dollar company. Gravely is the author of seven books on minority entrepreneurship. The following awards will be announced at the Marketplace luncheon on Sept. 16: Outstanding Minority Business (two awards based on business size to honor successful companies); Rising Star (honoring an emerging company that shows innovation and promise); and Good Citizen (honoring a company for community service). Marketplace 2009 is the premier matchmaking and training event for minority-owned businesses seeking to sell to government and large corporate buyers. Marketplace attendees will have the opportunity to learn of small business resource agencies and programs; weigh the benefits of local, state and federal certification programs; and meet one-on-one with prospective buyers. Online registration is at www.marketplace.wi.gov. For more information, contact the Bureau of Minority Business Development at 608/267-9550. -30- |
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