N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development to Host 2013 Executive Networking Conference

DURHAM, N.C., March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline, Duke Energy and Food Lion will be honored at the 2013 Executive Networking Conference for their significant role in helping to address the critical needs of small businesses across North Carolina. 

Hosted by the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED) and the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council, this year's event will be held April 4-6 at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Award recipients include:

• Duke Energy - Corporate Partner Award  
• Mr. David L. Fitts of GlaxoSmithKline - Trailblazer Award
• Mr. Eric Watson of Food Lion - Corporate Partner Award
• Mr. Lewis Myers, co-founder of NCIMED - Trailblazer Award
• Mr. Andrew "Andy" Perkins of North Carolina A & T State University - Public Service Award
• The NC Department of Transportation - Public Service Award

Conference sponsors for the 2013 Executive Networking Conference are: First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo, Fifth Third Bank, PNC Bank, Merck, Food Lion, AT&T, GlaxoSmithKline, Duke University/Duke University Health System, Skanska, North Carolina Mutual, Guilford County Schools and Raytheon.

"We honor the commitment our award recipients and sponsors have made to nurturing and developing small businesses in North Carolina," said NCIMED President Andrea Harris. "The Executive Networking Conference provides a relaxed environment, one in which new business relationships are cultivated, existing relationships are strengthened, and strategic alliances are developed."

For more than 20 years, the conference has served as an educational forum for professional development and business networking. Workshops and panel discussions about innovations in health care, construction, and utilities and telecommunications will be featured.

Established in 1986 the Institute works to reduce disparities for minority and women-owned businesses, procurement opportunities, access to capital, and strategic management capacity building.  Its programs include the MBDA's Minority Business Center of NC, the SBA's Women's Business Center of NC, the Executive Education Institute, Construction Resource Center, Jobs and Leadership Development and Public Allies of NC.  For more information, visit www.ncimed.com.

SOURCE N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development