Emerging Business Program: a special opportunity for minority and woman-owned businesses.

The Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee is seeking certified and qualified Michigan-based minority and woman-owned businesses to join its Emerging Business Program. The program will inform the local minority and woman-owned business community of opportunities surrounding Super Bowl XL and related events and how to do business with the NFL and other large-scale events.

"We are partnering with the various minority business chambers, such as the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Hispanic Business Alliance, to ensure minority and woman-owned businesses are well informed about the program," said Jim Thrower, chair of the SBXL Emerging Business Program Subcommittee. "Even if an opportunity doesn't exist with Super Bowl XL, the program helps businesses prepare for other major events taking place in Detroit over the next few years."

A key component of the Emerging Business Program is the Minority Business Resource Guide, a resource tool that is actively used by NFL contractors and Super Bowl event planners to find qualified minority and woman-owned businesses to help them perform their work in host cities.

"All participating minority and woman-owned businesses will receive an education in the large event procurement process, an introduction to potential partners and exposure to other procurement opportunities," said Robert Porcher III, chair of the Detroit Super Bowl XL Community Relations Action Team. "We expect to target our educational workshops toward specific NFL contractor needs as we move closer to Super Bowl XL."

Initial workshops hosted by the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee will educate minority and woman-owned businesses in sales, marketing, business financing, RFP completion, joint venturing, information technology and legalities.

The Emerging Business Program is sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation and Lear Corp.

Hospitality comes first

Let's be blunt: Detroit is not widely known for its superior customer service. That perception is changing, but not fast enough. With all of the visitors from around the country and across the globe coming to Detroit for our world-class events, it's critical that we put our best foot forward and offer the highest level of customer service.

With that in mind, the Tourism Economic Development Council of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering interactive, four-hour training sessions for employees in the hospitality field. First launched as a pilot program last year, the Ambassador Hospitality Training Program has already trained 100 Metro Airport taxi drivers in techniques for delighting visitors and increasing tips.

The four-hour session has two main goals:

1. Help identify and practice behaviors that improve customer service.

2. Increase participant's awareness and knowledge of local attractions, history and culture.

On-site training is available for business with 20 or more participants. Training is also offered at sites across the Detroit Region throughout the year or you can train your trainers to present the program to in-house employees. The cost is $50 per participant.

For more information, visit www.visitdetroit.com or e-mail Jane Bertsch, project manager at: [e-mail].

Does my business qualify?

A Michigan-based minority or woman-owned business is defined as a for-profit business located in the state of Michigan that is owned, operated and controlled by minority or woman group members. Businesses must be certified through at least one of the following agencies: Michigan Minority Business Development Council, City of Detroit Human Rights Division, Wayne County Purchasing Department, the Michigan Women's Business Council, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce or the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Applications can be filled out online at www.sbxl.org. For more information, call [phone].

Did you know?

Detroit is the only northern city to host the game twice (first time--Super Bowl XVI, 1982 at the Pontiac Silverdome)