UTSA and governor's office host key events for minority business owners
(Oct. 22, 2014) -- The UTSA Institute for Economic Development MBDA Business Center, the MED Week Consortium and the Governor's Small Business Forum will celebrate the 2014 Minority Enterprise Development Week with panel discussions and an awards luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Briscoe Western Arts Museum, 210 W. Market St.
At 7:30 a.m., the morning begins with a small business owner panel on programs and services and ends with discussions on NAFTA and more. An awards luncheon follows at 11:30 a.m., and the afternoon will close out with international business roundtables.
This year's theme, Resolve to Grow Your Business: Global Reach | Local Connections, is designed to give minority entrepreneurs and small businesses the valuable tools, skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's fast-paced economy and to learn how to expand their businesses globally. Attendees also will have the opportunity to network and trade with one another, exchange best practices and discuss challenges and innovative ways of overcoming them.
"In conjunction with our national MBDA MED Week, this event seeks to enlighten and celebrate high-performing minority business owners,' said Orestes Hubbard, MBDA Business Center San Antonio director. "We are proud to have hosted San Antonio MED Week for over 30 years and look forward to the continued growth and prosperity of minority businesses in Texas and the region.'
2014 MED Week and State of Texas Small Business Award winners include:
- Minority Construction Firm of the Year Award: Tejas Premier Building Contractor Inc.
- Emerging Minority Construction Firm of the Year Award: ACE.Co
- Minority General Services Firm of the Year Award: Confidential Search Solutions
- Minority Exporting Firm of the Year Award: VisionIT
- Emerging Minority Exporting Firm of the Year Award: Concord Supply Inc.
- Minority Advocate of the Year Award: Marisol V. Robles
- Lifetime Minority Banking Advocate of the Year Award: Frank Martinez
- Distinguished Supplier Diversity Firm of the Year Award: Southwest Research Institute
- Global Minority Advocate Firm of the Year Award: ProMexico
- Lifetime Minority Advocate Achievement Award: Gwendolyn P. Robinson
- MED Week Chairman's Award: Francine Wilson
The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic development. Its 12 centers and programs provide professional business advising, technical training, research and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. Its programs serve San Antonio and the Texas-Mexico border area as well as regional, national and international stakeholders. Together with federal, state and local governments, and private businesses, the IED fosters economic and community development in support of UTSA's community engagement mission.
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For a full list of activities during the week and to register, visit the S.A. MED Week website.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.