WASHINGTON –“Emerging Industries & Markets: A Blueprint for Success” will be the focus of the 29th annual National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference, Sept. 27-30, 2011, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

MED Week celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding minority entrepreneurs and leaders and provides a platform for small and minority-owned businesses to learn about business growth strategies, receive premier training and networking opportunities. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency will bring minority business owners from around the country, government officials and corporate representatives, including corporate executives from Honda, General Motors, Chrysler, Northrop-Grumman, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to participate in industry-specific workshops on increasing supplier diversity.  The conference also will include sessions on high-speed rail construction projects, public utilities and green business. 

SBA will present workshops on improving access to its lending and government contracting programs, and increasing business growth by using social media.  SBA will also participate in a roundtable entitled “Doing Business with the Government.”  There will be a business expo and tradeshow, business-to-business matchmaking sessions and a Small Business Town Hall to discuss the Small Business Jobs Act. 

Speakers at MED Week 2011 will include Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills, SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns and MBDA National Director David Hinson.

In addition to helping minority and small businesses expand their operations and establish a presence in the global marketplace, MED Week will help small businesses learn how to weather the current economic climate in the U.S.  The MED Week conference will also distinguish the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year.  Other award highlights include the SBA Administrator’s Leadership award and the 8(a) Graduate Firm of the Year award.

For additional information on MED Week activities, visit online at www.medweek.gov.

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