San Antonio (October 9, 2013)The UTSA Institute for Economic Development MBDA Business Center and the MED Week Consortium are proud to partner with the Governor’s Small Business Forum to present the 2013 San Antonio Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) event on October 17, 2013. The theme for this year’s event is Where U.S Businesses Meet Global Opportunities.
The day will be broken down into two events, an opening information forum and panel featuring the Texas Workforce Commission, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Sichan Siv, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S Embassy in Canada Richard Steffens, and Lauren McKinney of the Texas Governor’s Office Economic Development Small Business team, and an awards luncheon celebrating minority-owned business owners and advocates. *Attending panel members may vary due to the government shutdown.
U.S. minority-owned businesses are twice as likely to export as non-minority-owned businesses, so it is essential for them to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in expanding their business outside of the U.S. Panelist Richard Steffens, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S Embassy in Canada shared that the International Trade Administration has offices all of the world and in the United States, specializing in promoting exports, attracting investments, and ensuring market access for companies based in the United States.
“It is an honor to be a part of the Minority Enterprise Development Week in San Antonio. It has been exciting to partner with the Minority Business Development Agency Global Business Center and introduce minority businesses to export opportunities in Canada and other parts of the world,” said Steffens.
As a part of the Governor’s Small Business Forum, the 2013 San Antonio MED Week is designed to give minority entrepreneurs and small businesses the valuable tools, skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced economy and to learn how to expand their businesses globally. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and trade with one another, exchange best practices, and discuss challenges and innovative ways of overcoming them.
“In Texas, we have created an economic climate that continues to lead the nation as the best state in the US to do business. In fact, we have seen minority-owned small businesses and self-employment grow by over 75 percent over the last 10 years,” said Gov. Perry. “As we open a new Small Business Forum, it is our pleasure to host this event with the UTSA Institute for Economic Development, and we look forward to working with them to further encourage greater minority-owned business growth throughout the Lone Star State.”
For a full agenda of activities and registration information please visit our website: http://samedweek.org/
2013 MED Week and State of Texas Small Business Award Winners:
- Minority Construction Firm of the Year: Davila Construction, Inc.
- Minority General Services Firm of the Year: Blue Armor Security Services, Inc.
- Minority Exporter of the Year: Banda Group International
- Global Partner of the Year: U.S. Commercial Service in Canada, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
- Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award: Instant Data Technologies (Indatatech)
- Access to Capital: BB&T
- Emerging Exporter of the Year: Bio Pulp Works
- Minority Advocate of the Year: Halbert Brown, Jr
- MEDWeek Director’s Award: Renee Watson
