Published: June 15, 2009 10:39 pm         

Minority & Women’s Business fair and workshop series set

To promote Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, the Indiana Department of Administration Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises Division, in conjunction with the Indiana Black Expo Business Conference, will host the 2009 Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises Summer Resource Fair & Workshop Series.

The fair will be from 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. July 14 at the Indiana Government Center South Conference Center, 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

The fair is sponsored by Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College, The Minority Business Enterprise Center, Pitney Bowes Management Services, Purdue University and Vincennes University.

It will provide minority and women’s business enterprises with access to public- and private-sector entities, including financial institutions that can help them compete for contracts and deal with a slowing economy.

This event provides certified minority and women business owners and those who may be interested in becoming certified an opportunity to come and gather essential resources free of charge on how to do business with various state agencies, universities, casinos and private-sector corporations. This event will also include a series of workshops designed to empower business owners with information they can use to assist them in achieving financial stability and success in state contracting.

There will also be a Business Plan Assistance Center where representatives will be on hand to help those business owners needing assistance completing a business plan.

“The State of Indiana is very excited to host the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Resource Fair. It is inspiring to know that there are so many of our partners, both public and private, who are willing to take part in providing information and resources to help minority- and women-owned businesses sustain and grow in these tough economic times. I encourage all who can to take advantage of this great opportunity,” Deputy Commissioner Alice Watson says.

Register today at www.in.gov/confreg. Registration is required; sign up through July 3. This event is free of charge but space is limited. For more information, contact Terrie Daniel at tdaniel@idoa.in.gov.