Minority Business Conference FAQs

General FAQs

The Minority Business Conference (formerly Business Expo) is the premier event in Florida for minority businesses to connect with buyers and key decision makers to grow. As the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council’s largest annual event, it draws business leaders from across Florida and the nation. The Minority Business Conference which brings together a unique cross-section of minority entrepreneurs, large corporations and government agencies to create new relationships, ventures and opportunities for growth will converge in Davie, Florida, for two days of robust programming. The Conference features a motivational keynote speaker, hundreds of business matchmaker appointments, power-packed workshops, interactive programming options, health screenings, networking, meet & greet welcome reception, MBE Social and much more.

The conference begins on Wednesday, May 3 and ends on Thursday, May 4. See the full schedule here.

The Minority Business Conference will take place at the Levan Center of Innovation in Davie, FL.

Located inside the Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library, 5th floor

3100 Ferrero Jr. Blvd.,
Davie, FL 33314

Everyone! The Minority Business Conference is open to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), NMSDC National and local Corporate Members, Corporations and Government Members, Regional affiliates, Regional Corporate and Government Members, non-certified business owners, buyers and procurement representatives, supplier diversity professionals, and federal, state, and local government officials. Guests can relax and enjoy the luxury, comfort and modern conveniences of surrounding hotels. You can view a list here.

After a fulfilling first day of soaking up info and participating in the Super Matchmaker One-on-One Appointments, kick back and have some fun! The evening’s events are great opportunities to make new connections and reenergize current ones. Wednesday & Thursday evenings in Fort Lauderdale will be packed with opportunities.

Wrap up your first day with a true South Florida reception. Dance to the sounds of the Council’s DJ Mack and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres. Deepen your new relationships with corporate members, sponsors, minority business owners and other professionals to carry the conference’s momentum into the coming months.

Then on Thursday evening, Connect, Eat, and Drink at the MBE Social organized by the FSMSDC MBE Input Committee! Unwind and connect after the Minority Business Conference, with other like-minded professionals in a relaxed setting. Complementary admission includes one (1) drink ticket and one (1) hour of appetizers. There will be a cash bar beyond the one (1) ticket. All MBEs and corporate members are welcome to join us! Reserve your spot today.

GENERAL SESSION & POWER TALK LUNCH

Two highlights of the Minority Business Conference are the General Session and Thursday’s Power Talk Lunch featuring motivational keynote speaker, Manny Garcia-Tuñon, President Lemartec Corporation, A MasTec Company. In these sessions, you will get key insights from incredible experts while connecting with buyers and key decision-makers to grow and learn more about the Council.

Use the conference to rev up your network with a unique cross-section of minority entrepreneurs, large corporations and government agencies. With these new relationships come opportunities for new ventures and growth.

 

INNOVATION/SYNERGY/STRATEGY

Spend your afternoons engaging in dynamic workshops and Supplier Diversity Roundtables with the Innovation, Synergy and Strategy categories. As a business owner, corporation and other professional, you will discover the tools and resources to scale and grow your business.

Whether in a single-presenter talk or a panel discussion, you will gain valuable insights on various industry topics from leading experts, business consultants and loan professionals. You will walk away with far more business knowledge and skill than you had going in!

Kick off each day by visiting the Health & Wellness Zone, a new and powerful space open to all attendees. Stop by for a health screenings and other activities. If you need a quiet place to think, check out a powered solo work pod.

Stoll through SYNERGY: The Marketplace, a new addition to the Minority Business conference that gives a platform to showcase the unique products or services of FSMSDC’s Class I Minority Businesses Enterprise (MBE) startups and other partners within our network. You will find an array of literary and product displays from Minority Businesses Enterprises and other partners within our network.

Take advantage of the MBE2MBE Synergy Corner and discuss your business challenges with our certified MBE Input Committee members. This is your opportunity to connect and reconnect with the members who will provide guidance and feedback on your behalf (and that of the more than 900 certified MBEs in Florida) to the FSMSDC Board of Directors.

And remember the breaks between each session! This time is a powerful opportunity for casual networking. On day one, participate in the low impact chair Pilates. Or, on day two, mix it up with a relaxing table or chair massage, stop by the makeup and professional headshot sessions or have some fun with the caricature artist.

The recommended attire for all conference activities is business casual.

Email us at [email protected].

Speakers include locally and nationally recognized experts in relevant topics on AI & other Technology, Hospitality, Healthcare, Construction, business, finance, and key trends. Top executives from major corporations who value the contributions of minorities in business and a host of talented minority business owners with a proven track record of achievement have been invited to share their expertise during education sessions, panels and activities.

We accept speaker/instructor proposals on a rolling basis. If you have the experience and subject matter expertise to help minority entrepreneurs or the supplier diversity community, we encourage you to apply. Apply here to become a speaker.

Super Matchmaker One-on-One Appointments FAQs

The Super matchmaker includes one-on-one appointments for minority businesses to meet with buying decision-makers from Fortune 500 Companies, government agencies, educational institutions and healthcare organizations.

The Super Matchmaker one-on-one Appointments is the best opportunity for your company to meet with meet with buying decision-makers from Fortune 500 Companies, government agencies, educational institutions and healthcare organizations. Meet with supplier diversity and procurement executives from major corporations and MBEs all in one place.

Minority Business Entrepreneurs, large corporations and government agencies to create new relationships, ventures and opportunities for growth.

You must purchase either a 2-day or 1-day conference admission ticket for access to The Super matchmaker One-on-One Appointments.

Yes. All sessions are pre-scheduled prior to the Conference day(s).
Please note: After purchasing a Conference Admission Ticket, the dates and times you select are appointment requests only. All requests will be reviewed by the consultant and confirmed via email.

To access the MyBusinessMatches portal, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Log into the Conference site here.
  2. On the left-hand side menu, navigate to Resources
  3. Click 1on1 Appts to access the MyBusinessMatches Portal
  4. Register your company and begin requesting appointments!

NOTE: If you’ve accessed MBM for a different event in the past and are not seeing our buyers, you MUST click My Events > FSMSDC’s Minority Business Conference > Go to Webpage to access the appointments. If you continue experiencing issues, please contact MBM Support at [email protected] or by calling +1 (212) 381-9633. 

Register today at the Minority Business Conference here.

All matchmaking hosts/buyers will receive their schedules ahead of time with the full list of small businesses who have been approved to meet with their team. Each company has a profile in the matchmaking system so you will be able to look through it to find all of the industry and socio-economic information you may need from each business.

Wednesday, May 3rd from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET 

Thursday, May 4th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET

Participants must have an active Conference registration to participate in the matchmaker.

Business Consultation FAQs

Subject matter experts are available to provide free 30-minute business consultation in areas such as marketing and social media, HR, total quality management, IT, sales strategies and financing. Please schedule an appointment to meet with a consultant who can assist with your needs. Limit of two (2) appointments per company. All additional appointments will be declined.

Wednesday, May 3rd from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET 

Thursday, May 4th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET

Participants must have an active Conference registration to participate in Business consultations.

Loan: The Business Consortium Fund FAQs

Sit with the Director of Small Business Lending from The Business Consortium Fund (BCF) to discuss your business needs. The BCF exists to empower entrepreneurs by advancing equitable capital access for business owners of color. They provide funding and advice to certified, minority-owned businesses. 

Wednesday, May 3rd from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET 

Thursday, May 4th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET

Participants must have an active Conference registration to participate in The Business Consortium consultations.

Sponsor FAQs

Sponsorship brings tremendous visibility to your brand in front of hundreds of individuals. The conference attendees are comprised of business owners, corporate executives and purchasing decision-makers, as well as representatives from government agencies and advocacy organizations. All sponsors receive brand recognition on the conference website, mobile app, signage, as well as 1-1Matchmaker session, and conference registrations.

Click here to learn how to become a sponsor.

The following entities are eligible to sponsor:

  • NMSDC National Corporate and Government Members
  • FSMSDC – Certified MBEs
  • Partner Organizations
  • Non-profit organizations and media entities

Note: FSMSDC reserves the right to approve all entities requesting to be a sponsor.

Sponsors receive tailored packages that include Full-Conference Registrations and access to all activities included in the conference schedule for the specific admission category.

Please contact Monica Cupid, Vice President of Operations at the email below.

Email: [email protected]

As a Sponsor Contact there are a few things you should know:

  • As a Sponsor Contact, you are responsible for registering your corporation for the event. You’ll receive an email from Whova and Yasmeen Ferrera, Executive Assistant prior to the Conference. This email will include a form link and information on what is required for submission.
  • Once given the access link, you would need to update and adjust your entries through that link.
  • When you go to register your individual attendees, you will first confirm yourself as the Sponsor Contact. The Sponsor Contact will then need to provide the names and relative information for each of the individuals that will be attending. You will need each individual’s full name, company name, and email address. Please note, if you, the sponsor contact, will also be attending the conference you must include yourself on the form.
  • If you need to make any changes to the registrations you already completed, you can log back in to make the adjustment any time before April 25, 2023.

While each company’s experience will vary, the connections made and potential opportunities identified are incredibly powerful, and will fuel business and supplier diversity program momentum well past the conference.

Additionally, to ensure attendees have access to prospective business partners, FSMSDC executes a comprehensive marketing plan to increase conference awareness and participation that includes:

  • Website promotion, including visibility beginning February 2023
  • Promotion of the Minority Business Conference through floridaminoritybizcon.com/2023-registration and email blasts reaching more than thousands of contacts.
  • Inclusion in the Whova Mobile App
  • Social Media promotion on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
  • Advertisements and articles with FSMSDC Media Partners
  • Marketing materials and social media content for use to further raise awareness of attending the Conference

If you are an MBE, the marketing opportunities for your business will extend to reach the corporate member representatives present. If you are not are not certified with us, visit our website to learn more about how you can apply.

Registration FAQs

Learn more about the cost to be an attendee here.

Early Bird Passes: Deadline March 31st

  • 2-Day Conference Pass: $225
  • 1-Day Conference Pass:  $150

Post Early Bird Passes: April 1- May 3

  • 2-Day Conference Pass: $275
  • 1-Day Conference Pass:  $175

Super Matchmaker 1-on-1 Appointments

  • 2-Day Conference Pass (Corporate Members ONLY): $700
  • 2-Day Conference Pass (Non-Profit/Gov’t ONLY): $600
  • 1-Day Conference Pass (Corporate Members ONLY): $400
  • 1-Day Conference Pass (Non-Profit/Gov’t ONLY): $300

Once registration is live, you will receive an internal email from the Executive Assistant with the required link to access and form to be completed. Once you have access, you must complete your company’s information related to all attendees and submit.

All registration/ticket sales are final; no refunds will be issued. All sponsor and 1-on-1 Matchmaker Table package purchases are final and non-refundable.

Paid registrations may be transferred to another individual at your organization if you notify FSMSDC in writing by April 21, 2023. Send transfer and substitutions via email to [email protected].

Once registration is live, please send an email to [email protected] to make changes to your allocated full conference pass and/or day until April 28, 2023, when online registration closes.

Call the FSMSDC Office at (305) 762-6151.

Health & Safety FAQs

Your well-being is #1 priority for FSMSDC. The website will be updated with information about the plans for health and safety protocols for attendees, Super Match Maker 1-on-1s and staff at the Conference. Currently FSMSDC is monitoring the ever-changing status of the COVID-19 pandemic and making decisions accordingly. These protocols are subject to change based on several factors. FSMSDC is committed to keeping all attendees informed and updated as changes occur.  We will continue to update the page, so please check back for news and additional guidance as we refine our planning.