SCMBDC to Hold Minority Business Opportunity Day on Feb. 22 in Industry Hills.

MBOD 2007 Features One-on-One Interviews with Purchasing Professionals and Representatives from the World's Largest Gaming Companies

LOS ANGELES -- Southern California Minority Business Development Council, the region's largest nonprofit minority business advocacy organization, will hold its 38th annual Minority Business Opportunity Day (MBOD) on February 22 at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort, One Industry Hills Parkway in Industry Hills.

MBOD -- one of the largest events of its kind in the western United States -- offers minority businesses access to corporate representatives, seminars and workshops featuring procurement professionals from major corporations and organizations, networking opportunities at the business opportunity exhibit fair, and more.

Last year's event attracted nearly 1,000 corporate representatives and minority suppliers and MBOD 2007 promises to be just as successful, according to John W. Murray, Jr., president of the council.

"This year, we've added one-on-one interviews, by appointment only, where suppliers have an opportunity to meet with procurement professionals. If you're interested in securing contracts with major corporations, it's a productive way to spend the day," he says, adding that among those participating in the interviews include Nike, Nestle, The Walt Disney Company, Hilton Hotels Corp., and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

The event will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The registration fee through February 15 is $25 and includes a continental breakfast, a buffet lunch and early evening reception. After February 15, registration is $50. Onsite registration is also available.

To register, download the MBOD 2006 registration form at www.scmbdc.org.

Seminars/Workshops

Seminars for MBOD 2007 include:

* A discussion with the world's largest gaming and hospitality corporations. Representatives from Boyd Gaming, Harrah's Entertainment and MGM/Mirage will discuss their industry procurement needs and supplier diversity programs. Confirmed speakers include Mark Stolarczyk, vice president, corporate purchasing, MGM/Mirage, and Rick Darnold, vice president, strategic sourcing, Boyd Gaming.

* A presentation by the California Public Utilities Commission and member utilities. CPUC Commissioner John Bohn will lead a discussion on common procurement requirements with representatives from several utilities discussing their purchasing needs. Participating utilities include Verizon, AT&T, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Co., California Water Association, and Southern California Edison.

* A panel discussion featuring several minority business enterprises who will share their success stories and tips on how they secured contracts with corporate clients.

Business Opportunity Exhibit Fair

More than 400 corporate representatives, purchasing and procurement staff members are expected to be on hand to meet with minority suppliers face-to-face and provide information on how to get "in the door" with their companies. For minority businesses, it's also an opportunity to showcase or exhibit products and services.

Sponsors and exhibitors to date include: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BP; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Hilton Hotels Corporation; Hyundai American Motors; Nissan North America; Southern California Gas Co.; xpedx; American Airlines; ConocoPhillips; Macy's; Shell Oil Company; The Walt Disney Company; United Airlines; Los Angeles World Airports; Southern California Edison; The Port of Long Beach; WorkSource California Network; 1st PMF Bancorp; AEG; Aldelano Packaging Corporation; BCF; Boyd Gaming; Clarity Digital Imaging Supplies, Inc.; Coca-Cola Enterprises; East West Bank; Pacific Gas & Electric; AT&T Graphic Press; Halliburton Company; Harrah's Entertainment; Ideal Shield; IW Group; Johnson & Johnson; Kaiser Permanente; LR Johnson Associates, Inc.; MGM Mirage; Miller Brewing Company; Nestle; Nevada Minority Business Council, Inc.; Nike; Philatron International; Security Capital Funding/MVE, Inc.; Software House International (SHI); SOS Global Express; Target; The Boeing Company; The Jet Touch.com; Warner Bros.; Sprint Nextel Corporation 2; Wachovia; Team-One Employment Specialists, LLC, and Zones, Inc.

The exhibit fair will be open from 11:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. For exhibitor information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Shawn Smith, [phone], or [e-mail].

Southern California Minority Business Development Council serves more than 1,000 minority business enterprises and 200 corporate members throughout 13 counties. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Los Angeles with chapters in Orange County and the Central Valley, it is one of 39 regional councils in the National Minority Supplier Development Council. For information about SCMBDC, visit www.scmbdc.org or call [phone].