Minority Business Fair Thrives in Vegas

Diane Taylor -- Tradeshow Week, 10/31/2008 11:02:00 AM

Earvin “Magic” Johnson was in town – not to talk basketball, but business. 

Johnson was one of a number of business leaders on hand for the Natl. Minority Supplier Development Council Conference & Business Opportunity Fair, held Oct. 26-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. His company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, exhibited along with 860 others at the one-day business opportunity fair. An estimated 7,000 attendees also participated in the fair and conference, held for the first time in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas has been very well received by our attendees,” said Harriet Michel, president of the sponsoring National Minority Supplier Development Council. “Despite pressure from the economy, our attendance numbers have held firm in comparison to past years. We would certainly consider returning to Las Vegas in the future.”

At the business fair, corporations looking for products and services are the exhibitors, inviting supplier attendees to present their companies and products to them. Purchasing and diversity specialists from throughout the country staff the exhibits. Suppliers typically complete forms for the exhibitors and receive contact information for later follow-up.

Rogers Reynolds, president of the Reynolds Group, a third-party transportation logistics provider headquartered in Louisville, Ky., said he attends the national NMSDC event every year. “This is a great show for me,” Reynolds said. “I typically make enough contacts to keep us busy throughout the year.”

Andre Moskopp, purchasing manager for the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, staffed one corner of the MGM/Mirage exhibit, and said that doing business with minority suppliers is good for both parties. “Our minority suppliers are not complacent,” he said. “They work extra hard to keep our business. Both sides are winners.”

In this very uncertain economy, what is the best advice for minority businesses and their clients? “For suppliers,” Michel said, “my advice would be: Don’t despair. Position your minority firms for growth, because it will be small businesses that will be the engine for recovery for the economy. For the organization’s 3,500 corporate members, I would remind them to continue their commitment to minority supplier development.”