|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
FCEDA's Emerging Business Forum
wins Virginia Business Initiative Award
First-ever event aimed to help, celebrate minority technology entrepreneurs
Fairfax County, Virginia. December 12, 2001 — The Emerging Business Forum, a conference designed by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) to help minority technology entrepreneurs gain new opportunities and celebrate minority business achievement in the Washington, D.C., area, received an award from a Virginia state agency on December 16.
The Department of Minority Business Enterprise presented the forum its 2001 Business Initiative Award during the department's annual Winter Networking Awards Reception in Richmond. The award acknowledges creation of a successful business initiative that enhances opportunities for minority and disadvantaged business communities.
Some 300 minority entrepreneurs and business service providers attended the first-ever Emerging Business Forum. The next forum is scheduled for October 20-22, 2002.
"Our initial objective was to brand this area as the place for minority businesses to locate, grow and succeed. To have our first effort recognized by an agency that works with minority business men and women tells us the conference came at the right time and in the right place," said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the FCEDA (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org).
The EBF program has five goals:
- build bridges and break barriers that minority entrepreneurs face in finding capital, business opportunities and partners;
- foster professional and personal relationships between minority entrepreneurs and those who can help them secure financing and build their businesses;
- provide capital sources and business and government procurement officials the chance to work with minority entrepreneurs;
- develop mentoring relationships between entrepreneurs and successful established business people to produce long-term business gains for both groups.
- spotlight the Washington, D.C., area as the premier location for minority businesses.
Additional program and sponsor information is available at www.emergingbusinessforum.org.
# # #
| 
