BUILD UP.

September 14-15, 2023

birmingham-jefferson convention complex (BJCC)

birmingham, alabama

A Conference for Minority Business Leaders

Empowering Entrepreneurs & Fostering Collaboration

The Alabama Minority Vendor Conference is a transformative business development event thoughtfully curated for minority vendors in Alabama.

Who Should Attend?

minority business leaders

Step into an environment that fosters inspiration and enables meaningful networking.

During our two-day event, you’ll immerse yourself in experiences that challenge you to enhance business capacity and unlock exciting partnership opportunities. Forge connections that matter and take your ventures to unprecedented heights.

procurement professionals

Looking for an opportunity to engage exceptional minority-owned businesses and suppliers?  Look no further! 

The Minority Vendor Conference presents an exclusive showcase event tailor-made to connect businesses.

Discover new talent and build lasting partnerships that will drive your organization’s success.

Conference Tracks

architecture, engineering & Construction

general

food & retail

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Registration | 8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Minority Vendor Showcase

Conference Opening Luncheon

Plenary Session

Hospitality Break

Breakout Sessions 1 & 2

– 1: The 5 B’s of Business | Engineering & Construction Business Management 

– 1: Strategies for Success: The Business Owners’ Playbook

– 2: Easy Access to Surety Bonding

– 2: Unlocking Financial Opportunities: Positioning Your Business for Funding Success

Networking Reception | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Breakfast Plenary | Leveraging the Power of AI

Interactive Roundtables & Group Workshops 

– 1: Accessing Government Contracts | Featuring: City of Birmingham, State of Alabama, Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)

– 1: Breaking Barriers, Building Visions: Leading the Enterprise 

– 2: Primed for the Prime: Straight Talk on Doing Business with Large Contractors | Featuring: Caddell Construction, Dunn Building Company, Hoar Construction, and Turner Construction 

– 2: The Legal ABCs of Small Business

– 3: Building for Success: Construction Contractors Connect & Share | Featuring: Elm Services, Morris Builders, Stanley Construction, and Electragrid Solutions

– 3: Mindful Leadership: Nurturing Mental Wellness

Post-Conference Gathering | 12:15 p.m.

September 14, 2023 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | BJCC Forum K

The official kick-off to the inaugural Alabama Minority Vendor Conference, the Showcase is a platform where minority business owners can exhibit their companies, interact with procurement officials, and forge valuable business relationships that have the potential to turn into long-lasting partnerships.

Vendors registered for the Showcase will be given space (one table and two chairs) to engage conference attendees in meaningful conversations, and build relationships. 

Minority vendors, public procurement agencies, and private companies are invited to host these interactive Showcase Spaces to highlight and introduce their brands, services, products, or contract opportunities to potential clients and partners.

Partcipating Companies

Keynote Speakers

Malik Yoba

Actor/Founder/CEO

Yoba Development

Alicia Lyttle

Queen of AI

Monetized Marketing

Speakers & Panelists

Candyce “Ce” Anderson

Licensed Therapist

Revita Therapy & Wellness

Peter Gibbs

President

Foundation Surety

Austin Goble

Project Manager
REACH Women’s Business Center

Abe Harper, Jr.

President

Harper Technologies

Gilberto Herrera

CEO

Gilberto Herrera Enterprises

Heather Jones

SBA Lender

Synovus Bank

Dr. Iyishia Jones

Owner

ISHI? Boutiques

Samuel Kellett

Chief Operating Officer

Sabre Financial

Essence J. Phenix

Franchise Owner

Smoothie King

Danny Markstein

Founder & Chairman

Markstein

Cameron Ricks

Vice President Commercial Banking

ServisFirst Bank

Joshua Sahib

Director

The Lowder Center for Entreprenuership

Terri Sharpley Reynolds

Principal & Managing Attorney

Levitate Legal

Chef Beverly Russell

Owner

The Six Sixteen Restaurant and Bar

Charlotte Shaw

CEO/Executive Director

Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority

Amelia Thomas

Managing Partner

Empire Capital Ventures

Victor C. Tyler, P.E.

President

Tyler Constrution Engineers

Willie E. Watson

Commercial Lender

Hope Credit Union

Sponsors

For information on sponsoring the Minority Vendor Conference or Showcase, contact the team at partners@mvpalabama.com

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