For the last decade, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has sought to create a level playing field for minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) and to increase their participation in New York State contracting. The Governor set a nation-leading 30% goal for MWBE utilization in state contracts; this year, New York State will once again host the largest annual statewide procurement event for MWBEs. The 2020 NYS MWBE Virtual Forum will be held over a span of three-days: December 2, 3 and 4. The event marks the Forum’s 10th anniversary of creating opportunities with a theme of Building Businesses Better, and with daily sub-themes for MWBEs to Prepare, Identify, and Connect with Opportunities. The new and exciting virtual platform is designed to help minority and women-owned businesses learn about New York State contracting opportunities, technical assistance and business resources—and to increase engagement with state agencies, authorities and prime contractors.
This year’s Forum will include a range of programming and 40+ workshops— semi-live and on-demand—including networking sessions, one-on-one meetings and over 160 virtual exhibit booths. Once registered, attendees can access all the MWBE Forum has to offer, including: the New MWBE Business Resource Toolkit, the 2020 NYS MWBE Contract Opportunities eBook, online webinars, interactive sessions, exhibit booths, downloadable information and technical assistance, a virtual briefcase to hold all information, special publications and more.
The deadline for attendee registration is 6:00pm on Wednesday, Nov. 25. For full details, and to register, go to: http://nysmwbeforum.org/
Here’s a preview highlighting what to expect on each day of the 2020 NYS MWBE Virtual Forum— and there’s so much more!
Dec. 2/Day 1: PREPARE for Opportunities—Opening-day sessions offer strategies and tools for MWBEs, including: procurement best practices; access to capital and COVID-19 recovery funding resources; and construction insurance updates. An MWBE Business Resource Toolkit, new this year, offers six on-demand webinars: Money, Management, Marketing, Business Development, Competitive Bids, and Teaming. The webinars address the pandemic’s effect on the economy and resources for pivoting and navigating the new normal of changing economic conditions.
Dec. 3/Day 2: IDENTIFY New Opportunities—To bid or not to bid? The Forum’s second-day programming focuses on helping businesses identify, understand and evaluate projects in order to find the best fit. Targeted sessions will showcase new contract opportunities with New York State’s top projects and across top markets—encompassing transformational infrastructure projects and a variety of sectors from tech and healthcare to transportation and financial services. Business Builder Boot Camps will offer one-on-ones on the NYS MWBE certification process and on-demand sessions on NYS government procurements. Attendees can visit the Expo and network with exhibitors across dozens of virtual booths.
Dec. 4/Day 3: CONNECT with Opportunities—The Forum’s final day is all about connection. Attendees can sign up for “In the Booth” meetups with private sector corporations and New York State public sector authorities and agencies. An MWBE-to-MWBE Forum Chat Room will promote networking and exploring of potential business partnerships. Be sure to join the NYS Small Business Roundtable session to learn about how MWBEs are partnering with the state and pivoting to Build Businesses Better!
Don’t miss out on this event! Register NOW: http://nysmwbeforum.org/
Questions? Email: [email protected]