With less than 10 days away, we are almost ready to kick off "Minority Business Development - The Global Stage for Innovation & Impact", NMSDC's theme for the 2018 National Conference. The national conference happening, October 14-17 in our own backyard, Austin, TX, is designed to not only provide our corporate partners with qualified MBEs who can diversify their supply chain, but to strengthen and establish business relationships during workshops, social gatherings and the business fair.
SMSDC, co-host, is ready to join our National & Local Corporate Members, Certified MBEs and our Community Partners. We are actively engaged in helping NMSDC create an innovative and impactful conference. Have you registered? If not, I would like to personally invite you to join us and be a part of this amazing opportunity.
With more than 6,000 corporate CEOs, procurement executives and supplier diversity professionals from top multinational companies, this event is definitely one-of-a-kind. Leading Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business owners, veterans associations and international organizations will gather and experience the nation's premier forum on minority supplier development.
It has always been the intent of the Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council to remain focused on certifying, developing, connecting and advocating for our minority-owned businesses. This conference, renowned for the economic empowerment which results from the collaborations formed, is one of the few places where you can meet thousands of corporate partners and MBEs in one location. There is an invaluable advantage to connect with Fortune 100 and 500 companies and large MBEs of this magnitude - across all industries - with such obvious potential for unlimited success.
NMSDC and SMSDC exist to help minority vendors become a corporation's primary vendor of choice. But, you must come to the table with something and meet your deliverables.
The power-packed programming agenda of the 2018 NMSDC Conference & Business Opportunity Exchange includes these must-attend events:
MBE Opportunity Accelerator during the NWBEIC General Assembly Meeting Sunday, Oct. 14.
The sixth iteration of the diversity pow-wow, The Bigger Discussion moderated by Scott Vowels, Ph.D., Monday, Oct. 15.
Business Opportunity Exchange, with more than 700 exhibit booths Tuesday, Oct. 16.
More than 20 targeted sessions and workshops
Matchmakers (By appointment only)
A black-tie awards banquet
Endless opportunities to network, network, network!
The corporate co-chairs of the conference are Dell, Toyota and Wells Fargo; MBE co-chairs are InGenesis, Ongweoweh and Acro Service.
Please visit www.nmsdcconference.com for up to the minute information regarding this dynamic conference.
Have a recent achievement or new development in your organization? We'd love to share your story too! Click the "SHARE YOUR STORY" link below to leave your name and contact information and we'll reach out to you.
To process all NEW and ReCertifications efficiently, the SMSDC WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT
CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS AS A FORM OF PAYMENT.ONLY CREDIT CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ALL NEW and ReCertification applications are to be uploaded
without exception.
If this is a
NEW applicationand you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Eduardo-Muniz-Fraticelli at 512.297.6478 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to
[email protected].
If this is a
ReCertification, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 512.386.8766 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to
[email protected].
Eduardo and Gabrielle are fluent in Spanish.
ANY received paper applications will be returned and not processed.
Thank you for your continued support of the SMSDC.
Requirement for All New MBEs:
You must participate in the training prior to the Certification Committee reviews your application.
All new MBE's must attend a Pre-Certification & Post-Certification training. The training will be held by conference call several times a month for each session. Please make sure to attend one pre-certification & one post-certification training in order to complete the certification process. Appointment is not necessary.
The following are dates available for October:
Wednesday, October 3rd
Wednesday, October 10th
Wednesday, October 17th
Wednesday, October 24th
Wednesday, October 31st
Each training is from 10am - 11am CST
Conference call number: 641-715-0700
Access Code: 372354#
En Español:
La llamada requerida para poder obtener la Certificacion de Minoria esta disponible cada Miercoles del mes de 11am - 12pm CST. Esta conferencia es requerida para todas las certificationes nuevas.
Porfavor marcar al 641-715-0700, codigo: 372354#
TECHIE TIPS!
Keeping your Internet browser up-to-date is important for both your security and ensuring that web pages load & function properly. We have heard from several MBE's that they are unable to complete the Certification & Re-Certification processes because the portal does not advance to the payment screen. Rest assured that this issue has been reported to the software vendor & they are looking into it. In the meantime, we have a few suggestions to make the process of Certification & Re-Certification a little easier:
Please make sure you are using a newer internet browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. We also recommend that you update any plug-ins, extensions, or other add-ons you have installed on your computer.
Keep in mind, that whenever updates are made, you might sometimes notice that your browser looks different. Also, whereas Chrome will update automatically as new versions are released,Firefox will instead download an update then prompt you when they are available to install.
If you get to a section of the application that seems to be unresponsive or isn't "advancing" to the next page, make sure to save your progress, log off of the site, wait a few moments & log back into the site. You should then be able to proceed with the next step of the application such as submission and/or payment.
Don't forget, if you are still unable to complete your NEW application, please contact Eduardo-Muniz-Fraticelli at 512.297.6478 during regular business hours or email: [email protected]. If it is a ReCertification, please contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 512.386.8766 during regular business hours or email:[email protected].
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE:
Subscriptions are available to those MBEs who wish to receive services over and above those provided with basic certification.
These services will provide you with leadership, resources and connections to grow your business.
SMSDC Subscription Services include:
Access to Capacity Plus
Business Plan Enhancement
Prime Supplier Development
MBE/ Corporate Meetings
Access to National MBE Database
Corporate Supplier Diversity Portal Registration
and much more
Fees for subscription services vary. Contact our Austin office at 512.386.8766 or email us at [email protected] today.
October 14, 2018 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"Opportunity Accelerator, Conference before Conference
Where MBEs Connect to Business Opportunities"
The SMSDC is pleased to welcome our newest Premier Platinum Corporate Member, ConocoPhillips! Our sincerest thanks to Shawn Green, Director, Transactional Excellence & Business Automation.
WELCOME!
Aldez Containers, SMSDC's newest Local Corporate Member & Silver Corporate Sponsor! Thank you for your support!
2018
PREMIER SPONSORS
CORPORATE MEMBERS
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
CERTIFIED MBEs
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
ADVOCATE
From your MBEIC Chair:
This is it. The moment we have been waiting for us upon us. The
National NMSDC Conference in Austin is literally days away. This is a unique event no SMSDC's (or for that matter) any MBE can afford to miss. Don't delay and register now, if you have not done so already!
Be sure to arrive early enough to attend on Sunday October 14 from 1-5 pm our own MBEIC Opportunity Accelerator"conference before the conference". Here we will have the chance to meet our new President and CEO for the first time in her new role, the one and only Adrienne Trimble. This great program will also include key sessions that focus on MBE's and our ever-changing needs. Be sure toregisterseparately to attend this free event, and learn during this half-day what, in the words of our own MBEIC leadership, is practical and actionable information to bring about real business opportunities.
"At the upcoming Opportunity Accelerator 2018: Transformation Ahead, we will explore where the growth markets are going to be and how to develop your own disruptive strategy. We'll also discuss how to prepare yourself for leading transformation within your company, and how to build a team and culture that will thrive in an environment of continuous evolution."
And a bonus? For the first time MBEs will have the unique opportunity to be aSponsorto stand out and market your company.
The wonderful
Conference Agenda is packed with valuable content and learning and networking opportunities. With plenary and signature sessions, workshops, forums, keynote speakers, the Opportunity Exchange Expo, a Matchmaking session and many networking events and receptions; we will have in one place many chances to learn, to connect or reconnect, find our next MBE suppliers or partners, and so much more.
Don't forget to also register for the
BizConnect Matchmaker, which will take place on October 15 and 17. Complete your profile and research companies that are looking for specific suppliers. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect one-on-one with prospective customers.
Let's start warming up for a conference packed with activities and excitement for the 2018 NMSDC Business Opportunity Exchange, and let's make sure to connect in Austin. See you there!
Beatriz Fernandez
SMSDC MBEIC Chair
News from NMSDC:
NMSDC Conference + Business Opportunity Exchange 2018 - October 14-17 | Austin, TX
CONNECT
The Opportunity Accelerator is an annual half-day conference created by MBEs for MBEs. It brings together business owners, corporate leaders and subject matter experts -- all focused on practical, actionable information and real business opportunities that can be leveraged now. Organized by the NMBEIC, this conference is held each year the afternoon prior to the official opening of the NMSDC Conference + Business Opportunity Exchange.
SMSDC is proud to be the Host Council of the 2018 NMSDC Conference.
The NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange is the nation's premier forum on minority supplier development. For four days, more than 6,000 corporate CEOs, procurement executives and supplier diversity professionals from the top multinational companies, as well as leading Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business owners and international organizations will convene in Austin, Texas, to re-energize their collective efforts to Certify > Develop > Connect > and Advocate for solid minority firms in the global corporate supply chain.
This one-of-a-kind event features:
Thousands of corporate executives, procurement professionals and Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business owners
More than 20 targeted sessions and workshops
A one-day Business Opportunity Exchange with more than 700 exhibit booths
A black-tie Awards Banquet
Endless opportunities to network, network, network!
We frequently receive frustrating calls by our MBEs telling us their SMSDC/HUB Certification has expired. Once your SMSDC certification expires, ALL MBEs have to begin the entire certification process from the beginning. Please note, WE NO LONGER ACCEPT PAPER APPLICATIONS. ALL certification is now done on-line. There are no exceptions.
For those MBEs in the STATE OF TEXAS, in addition to beginning the entire certification process all over again, the HUB certification, which enables you to bid on contracts, is no longer valid.
The HUB certification process is only done once a month. This means for those MBEs in the State of Texas, they will now have to wait an entire month for their HUB certification.
Please make sure to check the expiration date on your SMSDC certification. You will receive an e-mail notification from the AdaptOne portal which looks similar to the image above.
DO NOT ignore this e-mail. It is a courtesy reminder your certification is about to expire.
SMSDC along with Corporate Member, Johnson Controls Inc, is proud to offer Developmental Classes to all Corporate Members & Certified MBEs during each of our regional events.
Learn more about these classes and how to register for the next session!
CORPORATE CLASS:
Benchmarking Plus is a process for corporations that seek to accelerate their supplier diversity initiatives based on real world experimentation. This two year process takes your corporation from where it is today to where it needs to be in the future in order to engage minority businesses in a sustainable manner. Benchmarking Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your corporation determine what it is doing right and how you can help it approve.
CERTIFIED MBE CLASS:
Capacity Plus is a process for certified minority business enterprises that seek to enhance their sales and marketing processes and build their capacity to work with Fortune 500 corporations. This two year process provides practical insights that will help you address business challenges. Capacity Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your company demystify corporate procurement processes.
Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus are led by Johnson Controls Inc, a world leader in supplier diversity, with more than 600 diverse suppliers and $1.8 billion in diverse spend.
If you are interested in signing up, please contact Mayra Pena at [email protected] or call 915.433.0612. These classes are complimentary but you must be an active corporate member or certified MBE to attend.
ABOUT SMSDC
The SMSDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to certifying, connecting and developing minority-owned businesses (MBEs). Through active leadership & professional education, the SMSDC works with major corporations throughout the United States and MBEs within the Central and Southwest Texas regions, Oklahoma and New Mexico to increase participation in diversity programs.
Capacity Plus
