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For Immediate Release
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)
Third annual conference for culturally diverse entrepreneurs begins today
Forum promotes success for business people from all backgrounds
Fairfax County, Virginia, October 8, 2003 – The third annual Emerging Business Forum (EBF) begins this afternoon at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia. The conference brings together business leaders to network with the area’s growing number of minority and female entrepreneurs. The Forum’s mission is to provide access to capital, relationships and knowledge that will drive entrepreneurial businesses forward. The Forum also will showcase the success of emerging entrepreneurs and companies throughout the Washington area.
The Emerging Business Forum runs today through Friday (October 10). Highlights from the event include:
- Remarks by Michael Barrera, national administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration during awards luncheon;
- A keynote address by Monique Greenwood, author, entrepreneur, and former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine;
- An interactive case study of woman-owned company Zipcar;
- A Capitol Hill briefing where entrepreneurs will meet with lawmakers about federal programs designed to help them;
- A session on marketing and public relations with Stedman Graham, president and CEO of S. Graham and Associates;
- Robert Woltz, president of Verizon Virginia speaking on “The State of the Telecommunications Industry;”
- Session on entrepreneurship and public policy that addresses what lawmakers are doing to ensure entrepreneurs continue to grow and succeed;
- One-on-one sessions between emerging businesses and established Fortune 500 companies.
- Session on International trade and finance opportunities;
- Awards Presentation: The Building Partnership Award goes to a partnership between an emerging business and an established company that brought success to both. The American Dream Award goes to three companies that overcame gender and/or ethnic barriers to build a successful business. (more)
“This year’s forum is a great opportunity for the region’s entrepreneurs to meet and network with established leaders in the business community,” said James W. Dyke Jr., a partner at the law firm of McGuireWoods and chairman of this year’s forum. “The level of commitment from the area’s business community to the EBF is tremendous.”
The forum has four goals under the theme of “Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers”:
- Educate emerging companies by enhancing their management knowledge and confidence, support management diversity, and build awareness of the benefits of doing business with emerging businesses;
- Accelerate access of emerging companies to funding sources and improve negotiation skills;
- Improve marketing skills through presentation and media training;
- Identify strategic partners among established companies, leveraging strengths in corporate and government expertise and recognizing merger and acquisition candidates.
Sponsors of Emerging Business Forum 2003 are the U.S. Commerce Department; Verizon Communications; Capital One Financial Corp.; ExxonMobil; Maden Technology; BJ’s Wholesale Club; Freddie Mac; The Washington Business Journal; McGuireWoods LLP; Pepper Hamilton LLP; Deloitte & Touche; Montgomery County (MD) Department of Economic Development; Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Virginia Secretary of Technology.
More information about the 2003 Emerging Business Forum is available at www.emergingbusinessforum.org.
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