Houston To Host Thousands at the 35th National Black MBA Association® Conference & Exposition, September 10th - 14th

WHO:

Star Jones, Bob Johnson, Earl "Butch" Graves, Jr., Judy Smith, Attorney Benjamin Crump, Chef Roble Ali and others take the stage in Houston to share their stories and vision of Courageous Leadership with an expected 10,000 attendees at the Annual Conference and Exposition.

WHEN:

Tuesday, September 10 – Saturday, September 14, 2013

WHERE:

George R. Brown Convention Center (GRBCC)

1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010 (Lobby E Entrance)

Parking available on corner of Polk Street and Avenida de las Americas (Metered parking also available)

Media Check-In/Press Room: 350A, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

Media Interviews: 350 C, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

WHAT:

35^th National Black MBA Association^® (NBMBAA^®) Conference & Exposition

Highly regarded as one of the nation's largest business and professional conferences and expositions, the 35^th Annual NBMBAA^® Conference & Exposition matches job seekers with opportunities for some of the country's leading talent, NBMBAA^® members, and Fortune 500 corporations.

With the theme "Courageous Leadership: Owning Your Own Success," this year's conference hosts some of the brightest minds and national thought leaders. The conference and exposition will offer development, both professionally and personally, of industry best practices to prepare, distinguish and position themselves for advancement in a global workforce.

Scheduled conference events include:

Wednesday, September 11:

• Entrepreneurial and Leadership Institutes — Day-long series of business development workshops and training sessions for emerging and established entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals.
• Innovation Whiteboard Challenge^®, 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM CT – Three contestants compete for $10,000, selling their business idea to a panel of venture capitalists in five minutes with only a whiteboard and a marker.
• Houston Chapter Community Service Project, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM CT — 2013 community service project, benefiting "Dress for Success" and "Career Gear." Conference attendees are encouraged to donate gently used business attire at the downtown Hilton and Hyatt hotels
• NBMBAA^®/Chrysler Group LLC Case Competition, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM CT – Graduate students from the nation's leading business schools compete for top ranking, cash prizes and employment opportunities

Thursday, September 12:

• Career Exposition & Ribbon Cutting, 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM CT — Official conference kick-off featuring NBMBAA^® leaders, business professionals and partners. The NBMBAA^® Career Expo features more than 100 corporations and businesses, and on-site hiring opportunities.
  • Ribbon Cutting: 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM (Doors Open at 8:20 AM, Use Lobby E Entrance)
• General Sessions, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT — Professional development and education sessions featuring renowned subject matter experts and key industry insights
• Town Hall Luncheon Presented by Nationwide Insurance, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT (Doors Open at 11:30 AM) — Thought-provoking and interactive program featuring national thought leaders as they discuss community, courageous leadership, and share personal stories and sustainable advice.
 Participants include Attorney Benjamin Crump, Principal of Parks & Crump Law Firm, Bonnie St. John, the first African-American to win Olympic medals in ski racing, and moderator Star Jones, Chief Development Officer & National Spokesperson, National Association of Professional Women will serve as the discussion moderator.  
• Meet the Experts, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM CT — 75-minute workshops focusing on entrepreneurship and career building. Led by national thought leaders and industry experts speakers include TV personality and celebrity caterer Chef Roble Ali, entrepreneur and television personality, Julian Duncan, Brand Director, Nike Basketball, and Constance "Connie" Orlando, VP, Original Programming, BET Networks

Friday, September 13:

• General Sessions, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT
• Keynote Luncheon: Inside the Leader's Studio Presented by Dell, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT — Intimate, one-on-one conversation with Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of The RLJ Companies & Founder of Black Entertainment Television.

For a complete listing of scheduled events please visit http://www.nbmbaaconference.org/confSched.html

CONTACT:

For media opportunities, interview requests or to obtain media credentials, please contact:

Chevonne Harris

PMM

Direct: 614.370.0125

[email protected]