Over 300 people attended the largest Minority Trade Fair in Western PA on May 1 at the Monroeville Convention Center. We would like to thank our platinum sponsor Highmark, and all of the other sponsors, speakers, committee members, volunteers and attendees for making this event a success.

The Opportunity Fair featured emcee Edmund Nelson, who kept the program moving and the crowd laughing. County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald attended the Kick-Off Breakfast and welcomed the guests. The Breakfast keynote speaker, State Representative Jake Wheatley, gave an inspiring speech, highlighting the importance of minority inclusion.

We were excited to have Marquis Miller, VP of Field Operations, NMSDC, attend our fair and serve as the keynote speaker at the Luncheon to talk about the growth of the NMSDC and how team work makes the dream work.

Two educational seminars were held during the fair about 'How to do Business with Corporations' and 'Available Resources'. Attendees stopped at the Opportunity Board to view over 100 current and upcoming opportunities for business.

Attendees who visited every booth were entered in a drawing for a $500 Apple Gift Card donated by BNY Mellon. Congratulations to Maria Atkinson who won the prize and met with all of the exhibitors.

If you attended the fair and did not get a chance to fill out the survey, please click here to complete the survey online.

On March 4th, Alexander Nichols made a presentation about the value of certification to students at Waynesburg University.

WPMSDC would like to welcome the newly certified MBE:

Dawood

If you are interested in certifying your minority-owned business, please click here.

We are proud to announce the addition of two board members: Matt Petersen, A. Stucki, and James Vespoli, The PNC Financial Services Group.

The Bureau of Small Business Opportunities is no longer accepting any new applications for certification as a Small Diverse Business. In lieu of issuing DGS certifications, the bureau will instead verify certifications from third party entities including WPMSDC. WPMSDC welcomes all minority owned businesses to continue their certification with WPMSDC and will offer a $100 discount if you have a DGS certification.  If you were DGS certified and interested in WPMSDC certification, please contact Jan Fleishner at jan@wpmsdc.org or 412-391-4423.

The new web site for WPMSDC members and MBEs is up and running. A log in is required to access the new page with resources and the corporate member directory. The next addition will be a collection of bids. Corporate Members and MBEs can request a log in by clicking here.

Dave Youngens, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact, will lead an educational seminar about social media on Wednesday, May 8th at the Koppers Building starting at 9:00 am. Learn tips from a social media expert on how to utilize social media to grow your business.

This seminar is free for WPMSDC Certified MBEs and Corporate Members to attend. For all others the cost is $25. Register now to reserve your seat; only 20 left!

The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center is celebrating their 15th Annual Entrepreneur's Growth Conference on Friday, May 10. 

Alexander Nichols will moderate the workshop titled "Minority and Women - All About Certifications". Panelists include Kevin White from the SBA, Debbie Wojcak from GACO and Ruth Byrd Smith from the County.

The conference is from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm - and the workshop from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. 

Click here for more information.

The NMSDC Quarterly Meetings bring together the NMSDC executive staff and the Presidents, Board Chairs and MBEIC Chairs from the 36 councils. We are very excited to bring everyone to Pittsburgh for the Quarterly Meeting from July 15th to the 18th. Have your company recognized with a sponsorship or by donating 150 promotional items for the welcome bags. For more information contact Meg Crossan at 412-391-4423 or meg@wpmsdc.org.

Thank you to the current sponsors:

• The PNC Financial Services Group
• Dollar Bank
• BNY Mellon
• Chevron
• Gateway Health Plan
• Giant Eagle
• AEC Group
• EQT Corporation
• CDI Printing
• UPMC
• SAVOY
• W. Blazer Holdings

For event details and registration (NMSDC Staff and Regional Council Presidents, Board Chairs, and MBEIC Chairs only) please click here.

The Ninth Annual WPMSDC Awards Gala is scheduled for Friday, October 4, 2013 at The LeMont. The PNC Financial Services Group is the Diamond Sponsor. Awards are presented in a variety of categories at this spectacular event. Show your appreciation for a corporate member or minority business enterprise who deserves to be recognized.

We would like to again congratulate the 2012 Awards Winners:

•  Corporate Advocate of the Year: Daniel Etter, Halliburton
•  Economic Impact Award: First Energy
•  Corporate Volunteer of the Year: Claire Scanlon, BNY Mellon
•  Media Award: Diane Daniels, DID & Associates
•  Harold T. Bushey Award: Carl Knoblock, Western PA Small Business Administration
•  Lifetime Achievement Award: Ben Butler, Minority Business Opportunity Committee
•  Supplier of the Year Award:
  •  Sales between $1 million and $10 million: The Allegheny Group
  •  Sales over $50 million: World Wide Technology
•  President's Award: Gary Evans, The PNC Financial Services Group
•  Corporation of the Year: UPMC

 Click here for details on the various awards and nomination forms.

Help us to help you by completing this one question survey. WPMSDC is seeking suggestions for educational seminars WPMSDC should offer.  Click here to take the survey.

May 8 - Social Media Marketing Made Simple - Presented by David Yunghans, Constant Contact

June 4 - MBE Orientation 

June 12 - WPMSDC Second Quarterly Meeting

July 15 - 18 - NMSDC Quarterly Meeting in Pittsburgh

August 5 - WPMSDC Golf Outing