2

DAYS

10

SESSIONS

560

MBEs

1,000+

OPPORTUNITIES

About the Exchange

This year, The Council’s Business Opportunity Exchange goes virtual bringing unparalleled business development opportunities to your remote office. Learn from leading business experts and make pivotal connections.

Although we are apart, we are still as connected as ever. We look forward to “seeing” you at our virtual exchange. Get ready for our sustainability symposium, conversations with industry leaders, our signature MatchMaker sessions and so much more. 

Be sure to connect with colleagues in our 

Virtual Networking Room each day from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. 

Connect. Communicate. Collaborate.


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

9:45 - 10:15 AM

Plenary Session Key Note Speaker: Michael Garner

MTA Chief Diversity Officer

The Metropolitan Transit Authority,  North America's largest transportation network, keeps the NY Metro area moving. Join their chief diversity officer as he shares insight on upcoming procurement opportunities. He will also discuss how  the current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted work at the MTA, the region's supply chain and our economy.

Presented by:


10:30 - 11:15 AM

MBE Workshop I 

Payroll Protection Program Loan Forgiveness- Do I Qualify?

G. Winston Smith - NMSDC Business Consortium Fund

You received your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, now what? SBA guidance continually changes regarding loan forgiveness and we want to give you the facts. Join NMSDC Business Consortium Fund CEO G. Winston Smith and his team as they share the latest updates on qualifications, timelines, and application processes around loan forgiveness. 

Have your questions, paper, and pen handy for this must-do session.


11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Chief Procurement Officer Forum

Moderator: I. Javette Hines, Director, Global Head, Supply Chain Development, Inclusion and Sustainability, Citi 

Maura Colleary, Chief Procurement Officer, New York Life

Robert DiGiaro, Chief Procurement Officer, Guggenheim Partners

Greg Michel, Chief Procurement Officer, NBA

Melani Wilson Smith, SVP Global Procurement & Market Supply, PepsiCo Foods North America

Listen in as Fortune 500 Chief Procurement Officers discuss domestic and global trends in the supply chain, issues and challenges facing the business community in the U.S, and the roles that diverse companies could play in this changing market.


1:00 - 1:30 PM

LUNCH

GrubHub Meals Sponsored by:


1:30 - 3:00 PM

Perfect Your Pitch Workshop with celebrity coach and business icon Steve Stoute

Moderator: Pat Patterson, Elysium Enterprises

Your virtual pitch is more important now than ever before. Leading MBE executives will provide participants with tips and feedback on their pitches. Be sure to sign up early. Space is limited!

Moderator: Gene Waddy, Alpha Business Solutions/DIVERSANT

This workshop is open to all pre-registered, Council-certified suppliers. Coaches will assist participants in delivering a winning pitch. Expect to receive invaluable insight, feedback and guidance on ways to communicate your story and present the perfect pitch.  Attendees will see and hear real pitches from fellow certified MBE suppliers.    

Contact Dora Reddick at [email protected] to sign up.


3:00 - 4:30 PM

MatchMaker Meetings

Now that you have perfected your pitch, let's see how it works during our signature MatchMaking sessions. MBEs will be matched with corporate members, government agencies and corporate plus MBEs based on current contracting needs and MBE capabilities. Make sure your documents and presentation are in order. 

Each session will be 10 minutes long. You must be registered for the Exchange in order to participate.

Contact Dora Reddick at [email protected] to sign up for MatchMakers.

Sponsored by:



WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

9:45 - 10:45 AM

Sustainability Symposium

Sustainability and the Journey Forward: Trends and Best Practices

The goal of the session will be to speak broadly about sustainability and its current impact on all businesses, inclusive of small and diverse organizations. Industry leaders will share their perspectives on:

  • Supply-chain sustainability
  • ESG metrics
  • The impact of COVID-19 on business growth and human rights   

Attendees should leave with additional insight on the current state of supply-chain sustainability, and how others have integrated sustainability into day-to-day business activities. 

Moderator: I. Javette Hines, Director, Global Head, Supply Chain Development, Inclusion and Sustainability, Citi 

Vincent Digneo, Sustainability Strategist, Brand Purpose Team, Adobe

Mari-lou Dupont, Senior Manager, Decent Work & Social Responsibility, United Nations

Karimah Hudda, Global Sustainability Lead, Procurement, Mondelēz

Benon Ngobi, Global Procurement Sustainability Lead, Accenture

Lauren Rogge, Senior Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services, EY


11:00 - 11:15 AM

Exhibit Hall Virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

11:15 AM - 4:30 PM

Exhibit Hall is Open

1:00 - 1:30 PM

LUNCH

GrubHub Meals Sponsored by:


12:00 - 2:00 PM

Perfect Pitch Competition

The Perfect Pitch Competition is open to all pre-registered attendees of the Exchange. Competition contestants will be chosen by the Perfecting Your Pitch Workshop coaches. There will be 10 contestants chosen from the workshop,  but only 3 will win.  A team of judges will score and select first, second and third-place winners. All winners will be announced on December 1, 2020.

First Place - $1,500. Second Place - $1,000. Third Place - $500. 

Contestants may enter as individuals or teams. The maximum number of team members for a single pitch is three individuals.  Each individual or team may only pitch once during the competition. Pitches can be presented verbally, by a PowerPoint presentation, or a little of both.   

You must participate in Tuesday's Perfect Pitch Workshop in order to compete in this competition. Contact Dora Reddick at [email protected] for details.

Presented by: 



WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

2:00 - 2:45 PM CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS


Veteran Business Workshop

Francisco Cortes and Colonel Jeff Cantor - NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce

What You Need to Know as a Veteran Business to Win Contracts


MBE Workshop II

Federal or Corporate: A Formidable Start and Close to Your Fiscal Year 

Judy Bradt - Summit Insight

End this year strong and launch 2021 with power and style. Whether your federal year just ended, or your corporate year is just getting started, here are three easy and powerful steps that can help make 2021 your best year ever. The techniques, presented by Judy Bradt of Summit Insight, have a proven track record of success. Be sure to be on hand as she demonstrates how these practical strategies can be translated into sales for you and your team.

All attendees will get a link to a free 7-step federal sales checklist to kick off 2021 in style. Come ready for an active engaged experience; Fully present and ready to participate on audio, chat, and video.


MBE Workshop III

90-Days: Refining Priorities

Kevin Jean-Charles - Finslide Technologies

What is your short-term WHY? Discover 12 universal priorities to update every 90 days to help you stay on track. Build on the long-term by being very present in the short term. Understand how these universal priorities elevate 16 emotions and improve your outlook. Work with Kevin Jean-Charles from Finslide Technology and plan in 90-day increments to minimize the stress of navigating your business roadmap.


3:00 - 4:30 PM

MatchMaker Meetings

Now that you have perfected your pitch, let's see how it works during our signature MatchMaking sessions. MBEs will be matched with corporate members, government agencies and corporate plus MBEs based on current contracting needs and MBE capabilities. Make sure your documents and presentation are in order. 

Each session will be 10 minutes long. You must be registered for the Exchange in order to participate.

Contact Dora Reddick at [email protected] to sign up for MatchMakers.

Sponsored by:


4:30 - 5:00 PM

Closing Ceremony

Join us in the Auditorium as we reflect on the previous day's activites, connect, communicate and collaborate. 


Thank you for connecting and collaborating with us!

2020 Business Opportunity Sponsors

Our work is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.


Thank you to our Annual Sponsors

Thank you to our MBE Supporters & Donors