Reasons Why a Minority Owned Business Should Become Certified

1. Certification: As a bona fide minority owned and operated enterprise, MBEs are in a position to do business with corporate members they would otherwise not have access to.
2. Corporate Directory: An up to date listing of corporate buyers with contact information via the Council website. MBEs get a password to access this information.
3. Annual Business Opportunity Fair: The opportunity to visit booths staffed by a variety of corporate buyers. You also have the opportunity to exhibit your product/service to attract additional clients.
4. Buyer/Seller Meetings: Hosted by member corporations and provide opportunities for MBEs and corporate procurement staff to interact and build relationships.
5. Sales Presentations/Vendor Spotlights: Exposure of your business to council members at General Meeting and other networking events.
6. Networking: Activities and events designed to develop buyer/supplier comfort levels and build future business relationships.
7. Reference library and meeting space: Reference materials on the most current legislative issues affecting MBEs along with books and videos are available in the Council office. Our conference room is also available for meetings with clients. Advanced booking is required.
8. Bid opportunities: When bids come to the Council office, we attempt to match and refer those opportunities to the appropriate MBEs.
9. Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC): Composed of business owners/operators they meet monthly to discuss common problems and issues that affect MBEs. They also advocate with the Board of Directors to develop programs and policies that create more opportunities for corporate members and MBEs to do business with each other.
10. Corporate Procurement Briefings: An opportunity to visit with corporate buyers at their corporate location.
11. Business Consortium Fund: A loan guarantee program provided for MBE and corporate member contract opportunities and business expansion. (qualifications required)
12. Seminars and Workshops: Provided by corporate members and Council consultants to assist MBEs in personal and professional growth.
13. Minority Business Executive Programs: Access to nationally recognized programs that provide professional training and support for qualified MBEs. These programs include the Minority Business Executive Program at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.