Minority Enterprise Development Week Kicks Off September 15
DENVER- The Denver Office of Economic Development is proud to be a partner of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, Sept. 15-19, 2008. MED Week has been set aside for the last 26 years to honor successful minority entrepreneurs.
Proclaimed by President Reagan in 1982, MED Week is celebrated locally, regionally and nationally. Each year, the President of the United States proclaims National MED Week to recognize outstanding achievements of minority business enterprises and to honor corporations and other institutions that support minority business development.
Over the years, myriad events have paid tribute to minority businesses and the individuals who operate them. Training seminars, empowerment breakfasts, business open houses, trade fairs, award luncheons and banquets are typical of the events that celebrate successful minority entrepreneurs.
The MED Week Partners include:
Asian Chamber of Commerce
- Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
- Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- City of Denver, Office of Economic Development
- Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- The Latina Chamber
- Minority Enterprise & Educational Development
- Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce
- Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council
- Small & Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Council
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Small Business Development Center
- State of Colorado Minority Business Office
The MED Week Partners are committed to fostering the establishment and growth of minority owned firms. Each partnering entity fosters the creation and establishment, growth, expansion, and capabilities of minority business enterprises (MBEs) by assuring access to credit, capital, markets, consultation (both business and professional) collateral, and other resources. Our strategic alliance further assists minority development agencies and support agencies to promote the creation, growth, expansion, and competitiveness of MBEs.
MED Week culminates in an awards ceremony recognizing minority businesses and corporate/community advocates of minority business development. The 26th Annual MED Week Business Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 at the Arvada Center in Arvada, CO.
Winners for 2008 include the following:
Advocate of the Year: JOSEPH SERNA (DAWA ENTERPRISES)
Construction Firm of the Year: B & M CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Corporation of the Year: SAFEWAY
Retail Firm of the Year: FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE – NEW AGE, INC.
Service Firm of the Year: NCCHECK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Supplier/Distributor of the Year: FAISON OFFICE PRODUCTS
Other events sponsored by The MED Week Partners during MED Week, Sept. 15 – 19, 2008, include:
Mon., Sept. 15: Growth Through Partnership: Discovering Authentic Relationships
The Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Grand Hyatt Denver
Register at www.medweekcolorado.com
Tues., Sept. 16: SADBOC Empowerment Breakfast
7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The PPA Event Center
Register at www.sadboc.org
Tues., Sept. 16: Women Entrepreneurs: Legends with a Legacy
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library Lunch Cost -$15.00
RSVP required via email anorris@meedcolorado.org
Wed., Sept. 17: SBA + Resource Fair
10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Denver Public Library--Main
Wed., Sept. 17: Minority and Women Chambers' Business After Hours
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Park Hill Golf Club
RSVP required 303.595.9737
Thurs., Sept. 18: Business Awards Luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Arvada Center
Register at www.medweekcolorado.com
Sat., Sept. 20: The Mother of Invention Regional Conference
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The University of Colorado, Auraria Campus (Tivoli Center)
Register at www.themotherofinvention.org
For more information, call Angela Norris-Hawkins of MEED on behalf of The MED Week Partners, at 303.308.5303 or visit the Partners’ website at www.medweekcolorado.com.
###
|
