The fifth annual New York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Forum will be held Oct. 1 to Oct. 2 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
The forum, which helps minority and women-owned small businesses navigate contract opportunities to grow operations, will focus this year on transportation, construction and information technology as well as financial and professional services. This year’s theme, “Opportunities Start Now,” aims to help small businesses expand into new and emerging markets and increase their capacity to create more jobs.
State leaders and industry experts will lead panel discussions on state initiatives including the $4 billion LaGuardia Redevelopment Program and the state Gaming Commission’s $1.3 billion casino project.
Featured guests at this year’s forum include Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO of Xerox Corp., and former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins.
The forum will also showcase Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “Supply & Demand: Opportunities for real MWBE Growth Initiative,” which identifies opportunities in industries with low rates of minority and women-owned businesses.
“Minority and women-owned businesses play an important role in New York’s business community,” Cuomo said. “I encourage businesses to attend the fifth annual MWBE Forum and learn what opportunities are available to help them succeed.”
According to Cuomo, more than 2,000 people registered for last year’s forum.
To register for the forum, visit www.nysmwbeforum.org.
