Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council Provides Access to $17 Billion in Contracts and Job Growth at the 31st Annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference and Opportunity Fair

- May 2 - 3 conference will feature 325 exhibitors, up 45 percent within 2 years

- Conference draws more than 1,500 attendees from a wide variety of industries

- Professional development sessions available to corporations and minority businesses to help them reach their full potential

DETROIT, Mich., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) will host its 31st Annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference and Opportunity Fair, the largest procurement opportunity fair of its kind, at Detroit's Cobo Center on May 2 - 3.

The conference's theme is "Striving for Excellence, Delivering Value."  The event will offer corporate buyers the opportunity to make connections with the fastest growing segment of the economy.  Minority suppliers can reconnect with customers and potential customers; learn from professional development experts, and showcase their products and services.  There is a tremendous business opportunity as buyers from hundreds of major corporations will attend to seek out certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with whom to do business.

"We are proud that this event has directly generated more than $1.2 billion in business for our members in the past six years," said Louis Green, President and CEO of the MMSDC.  "The 50 percent growth in exhibitors that we have experienced this year is a testament to the value that our members feel this conference brings to their bottom line."

The MMSDC is one of 37 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council.  MMSDC is a privately funded, non-profit, corporate services organization that has provided unique procurement opportunities to corporate members and certified MBEs for over 30 years.  MMSDC provides ongoing growth opportunities, financial support, training and education for its membership.  The organization is nationally recognized for its work with major corporations to promote minority business development and growth. 

The conference, sponsored by automotive supplier Takata, will feature 325 exhibitor booths.  On May 2, the MMPC Professional Development University will offer 36 experts with a full day of seminars designed to develop and grow participating businesses.  Speakers will include representatives from Chrysler, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Google, and DTE.  The Opportunity Fair, on May 3 is open to business owners for the nominal fee of $50.  

About MMSDC
Founded in Detroit in 1977, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (formerly known as the Michigan Minority Business Development Council) has more than 1,200 certified minority businesses and over 300 corporate members working to further its mission to certify minority businesses; provide access to procurement opportunities; and develop capacity for minority business development.  MMSDC is a 501(c) (3) organization.  Proceeds from this event support MMSDC programs and services and are tax deductible.

The MMSDC is nationally recognized for its work with major corporations to promote minority business development and growth.  MMSDC also operates one the Detroit MBDA Business Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The Detroit MBDA center provides rapid growth-potential minority businesses the "keys to entrepreneurial success" through access to markets, capital and strategic consulting.  Visit the MMSDC's web site to learn more about these programs and services at www.minoritysupplier.org.

MMSDC blog: http://www.diversebusiness.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diversebusiness
Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/diversebusiness
Website: www.minoritysupplier.org

SOURCE Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council