Contact: Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661
MADISON – Minority-owned businesses seeking expanded sales opportunities and purchasing agents looking for quality minority vendors will want to attend the 23rd annual Governor’s Conference on Minority Business Development: Marketplace 2004. The event will be held Sept. 21-22 at the Ho-Chunk Casino Hotel & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells.
“Gov. Jim Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin plan calls for expanding the economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses,” said Department of Commerce (Commerce) Secretary Cory L. Nettles. “Marketplace provides minority businesses with an excellent opportunity to meet customers and link up with potential financial partners.”
The conference will include an awards dinner on Sept. 21 and business, workshops, panel discussions, networking forums, and a trade fair on Sept. 22. Featured speakers include Gov. Jim Doyle (invited) and Ron Langston, Director of the US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency. Banks, venture capitalists and other service providers will also be on hand to provide assistance on an as-needed basis. Minority-owned businesses seeking one-on-one meetings with prospective customers should contact Commerce at 608/267-9550 or 414/289-6767.
Registration fees are as follows:
Workshop and Awards Dinner on Sept. 21: $35 per person
Minority Business/Non-Profit/Walk-Through Participant: $45 per person
(Includes luncheon)
Corporate Participants: $100 per person
Exhibit Booths: $200-500
Conference value pack: $165 per person
Participants can obtain more information or register online at www.commerce.state.wi.us or www.wmboc.org. The deadline for early registration is Friday, Sept. 3. For more information, call Commerce, at 608/267-9550 or 414/289-6767.
