From the President's Desk

Hello Stakeholders',

The year is flying by!  As we approach the end of the 3rd quarter, I'd like to thank you for all your dedication in making 2022 another successful year!  Neverthel before we start planning our holiday vacations, SMSDC has several upcoming virtual events for you.  

Join us for the MBEIC's "Lunch & Learn - How to do business with JP Morgan Chase" on August 25th from 12-1 p.m.  Danielle A. Davis, Vice President, Houston Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries- Diverse, Women and Veteran-Owned Businesses, Commercial Banker, with JP Morgan Chase will discuss how to do business with JPMC as an MBE through their supplier diversity programs as well as give you tips to be bankable and ready for when you need a loan!  Make sure you visit our website to register today.

"Diversity at the Border" virtual event is happening on September 22nd.  If you're interested in doing business with Applied Materials, ConocoPhillips, El Paso Electric, Itron, Oncor, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits the NRP Group, and Toyota then this is the event for you!  Register now to reserve your spot in one of the corporate breakout rooms.

On September 28th, join us for an Introduction to Microsoft's Datacenter Construction Business.  Microsoft presenters will provide an overview of Microsoft’s datacenters and cloud industry, opportunities and programs for Diverse Suppliers with Microsoft in San Antonio and a Q/A session for you to ask questions.  Registration is now open!  If you're in the construction industry, don't miss out on this event.

Last, but definitely not least, early bird pricing for NMSDC's 50th Anniversary Conference & Exchange is now open!  Register before August 31st, visit www.nmsdcconference.org today.

I look forward to seeing you virtually at our upcoming events!

Take care,

Karen Box

President & CEO

SMSDC

REGISTRATION OPEN!

"Lunch & Learn - How to do business with JP Morgan Chase"

August 25th

12-1 p.m.

Register Here Now

"Diversity at the Border Virtual Event"

September 22nd

2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Register Here Now

SAVE THE DATE!

"Upcoming opportunities with Microsoft"

Sept. 28th

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Register here now

NMSDC 50th Anniversary

Conference & Exchange

Registration is now open!

SMSDC 2021 Annual Report

We are excited to share our 2021 Annual Report. The annual report shares SMSDC's 2021 activities and financial position. Please take a look to see the Council's success in 2021.

Hello My Fellow Business Colleagues,

I hope the heat of the summer hasn’t crept into your spirit. We are leaning into the best time of the year for business! As we are rounding out the third quarter of the year the marathon continues. Building business is key and has a tremendous amount of potential. The last few months have been great check points to remind you about the importance of getting involved. I can honestly say that I have seen a large amount of leads from engagement and showing up. I know it is hard to get excited during these trying times, but the payoff is there.

We have to think about consistency in showing up to the opportunities. Building relationships has a tremendous amount of impact! The process gives us momentum and results that make long lasting contracts. At the end of the day, I know we all want long lasting contracts and relationships make that even sweeter.

Here are a few good reminders that can help make your connections a little easier.

1. Start slow- Go back and look at lost business. Maybe call on some old contacts and check in, say Hello and ask them how you can help them be successful.
2. Social Media! Don’t forget Linkedin is where your business is engaging and advocating for your business. If you haven’t been on there, take a look and reach out to people in your network. You want to remain Top of Mind at ALL TIMES.
3. Look at your current book of business. Maybe check in and ask if there are any other opportunities that they have with other departments or customers.
4. Practice gratitude and appreciation. Surprise a few of your key customers with goodies, or a personal Thank You card. Just let them know you appreciate their business. Trust me, this is a rare practice.

Just as another reminder: Let’s think about the new opportunities that come from collaboration and not competition.

Stay plugged in!

As always check out our upcoming events in the calendar on the SMSDC Website and check out the programs!

With Gratitude,

Debbie Trevino

SMSDC MBEIC Chair

President, Treco Services

NEW YORK — The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is excited to announce the creation of the Certification Reimbursement Initiative. The program enables NMSDC corporate members to support minority businesses by reimbursing the cost of the NMSDC application fee. Each business must meet the funding criteria of the funding sponsor company. This effort is made possible by the initial support of JPMorgan Chase, Lowe’s, MassMutual, Nielsen, and Omnicom.

By removing cost as a barrier to entry, the program incentivizes new minority business enterprises (MBEs) to get certified and exposes them to the value of certification in the programs, services, connections, and business opportunities that come with being a part of the NMSDC network.

Eligibility for the certification reimbursement program is different for each of the funders but, at a minimum, the company must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for NMSDC certification as an MBE:

• Must be United States citizens.
• Must be at least 51% minority-owned, managed, and controlled.
• Must be an independent for-profit enterprise and physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories.
• Must be managed and operated by the minority ownership member(s).

“While we believe the cost of certification is far outweighed by the benefits MBEs receive from getting certified, we are excited to partner with our corporate members to provide MBEs a way to reduce the costs associated with certification,” said senior director of field services, Constance Jones.

Companies interested in becoming a corporate sponsor of the Certification Reimbursement Initiative can contact NMSDC at constance.jones@nmsdc.org.

Contact NMSDC:

Jered Weber

Communications and Engagement Manager

jered.weber@nmsdc.org

In alignment of SMSDC’s four pillars, Certify. Develop. Connect. Advocate., education continues to be fundamental. Launched in 2012, SMSDC continues to offer the PLUS+ Platform classes: Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus. These signature programs are a mix of in person & online courses presented by supplier diversity expert Reginald K. Layton, Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability for Johnson Controls’ Inc and Ralph G. Moore, CPA, president of Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA). Moore is recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in the area of supplier diversity and minority business development.

For CORPORATE MEMBERS ONLY is a process to accelerate supplier diversity initiatives based on real world experimentation. Benchmarking Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your corporation strengthen your supplier diversity processes. Learn more here

For CERTIFIED MBEs is a process to enhance sales and marketing processes and build their capacity to work with Fortune 500 corporations.  Learn more here

Diversity at the Border is a virtual event filled with networking and matchmaking opportunities. At this event you will be able to meet with SMSDC's corporate members, certified MBEs and community partners looking to do business with SMSDC suppliers.

Why Attend?

This is your opportunity to virtually meet & network with SMSDC's corporate members specifically looking for SMSDC Certified MBEs/suppliers.

Register today to meet with SMSDC's corporate members and buyers. Along with SMSDC's corporate members, MBEs/Suppliers will meet with other MBEs for MBE2MBE business opportunities.

Who will I be able to meet with?

Register today to join corporate breakout rooms led by:

Toyota

ConocoPhillips

Oncor

Applied Materials

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

El Paso Electric

Itron

and several agencies such as SBA, ELCDC & USDA.

TITLE SPONSOR:

PREMIER PLATINUM PLUS

About SMSDC

The SMSDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to certifying, connecting, developing and advocating MBEs. Through active leadership & professional education, the SMSDC works with major corporations throughout the United States and MBEs within the Central & Southwest Texas regions, Oklahoma and New Mexico to increase participation in diversity programs.