- The country's premier minority business networking conference to take place September 27-30 in Washington, D.C. -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Minority Business Development Agency National Director David A. Hinson announced today the 2011 dates and venue for the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, hosts the largest federally sponsored conference for minority businesses, government procurement officials, prime contractors, corporate buyers, and capital providers. This year’s conference will be held Sept. 27-30 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Recognized as the nation’s premier event for minority entrepreneurs and business owners, the MED Week Conference attracts minority businesses of all sizes from all industry sectors across the country. Participants will have opportunities to network and learn about new contracting, financing and global growth opportunities from federal government agencies and corporations. This year’s program will also offer minority entrepreneurs access to the policy makers, program managers, financial lenders and procurement officers who often impact business success.

In recognition of increasing globalization and the growth potential of the energy, environmental and health care sectors, the conference theme is Emerging Industries and Markets: A Blueprint for Success, with a focus on the vital role minority businesses play in both domestic and international markets. MED Week helps minority-owned firms grow both domestically and globally through a series of educational, training and business-to-business networking events.

Specifically, the conference will include:

•Business-to-Business Matchmaking Sessions
•Embassy-Sponsored Market Access Events
•Informative Plenary Sessions and Educational Workshops
•Business Expo
•MED Week Awards Gala
•Global Business Networking Opportunities

The National Minority Business Awards Gala and the Business-to-Business Matchmaking Sessions are conference highlights. The awards celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs based on the economic impact their business has had on its community. MBDA also recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing the minority business community. Nomination forms and award details can be found at www.medweek.gov or www.mbda.gov. The Matchmaking Sessions offer pre-registered firms one-on-one meetings with corporate and government buyers and financial program administrators. To participate in the matchmaking sessions, corporate buyers, tier-one suppliers, procurement officers and lending agents should contact MBDA.

The MED Week Conference has typically drawn approximately 2,000 attendees and made more than $30 billion in contracts and financing opportunities available to its participants. Event sponsors include Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and United Technology Corporation.

For more information about MED Week, please visit www.medweek.gov.

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA, www.mbda.gov, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, promotes the growth and global competitiveness of the minority business community, making them better equipped to create jobs, impact local economies and compete successfully in domestic and global marketplaces. With a nationwide network of more than 45 business centers and strategic partners, MBDA assists minority entrepreneurs and business owners with consulting services, contract and financing opportunities, bonding and certification services, building business-to-business alliances and executive training.