HOUSTON, TX — “Rooted in Business, Growing in Diversity” is the theme of the upcoming Houston Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2017 Business EXPO, set for Sept. 6-7 at George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

More than 1,500 corporate buyers, governmental agencies, medical and educational institutions seeking diverse suppliers attend the annual expo. A list of this year’s exhibitors can be viewed at http://expo.hmsdc.org/registration/exhibitors/list. This year, HMSDC is pursuing greater outreach to both non-certified and certified minority business owners, and on Gen X and Millennial age groups to ensure these younger companies are exposed to more business opportunities in Houston and beyond.

Henry Ford once said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” This sums up HMSDC’s approach in trying to expand beyond the industries typically featured at previous expos. This year’s expo includes several industries with a growing impact on how minority entrepreneurs do business locally, regionally and nationally — i.e., health care, liberal arts, banking, sports and other thriving industries.

As Ingrid Robinson, President of HMSDC shares her vision for this year’s Expo, “The partnerships we have embarked upon for this year’s EXPO is geared to show the impact and diversity we have in our city and our organization.” From partnering with the Department of Energy to bring the Energy Summit to Houston to creating a Know your Numbers village which will encourage health and wellness information for businesses and employees, EXPO will have something to offer all attendees.”

Other key EXPO events include: The Coaching Corner; the MBE Boot Camp; the Best of Class Reception; the EXPO Marketplace 2017; the Early Bird Energizer Breakfast; the One-to-One Sessions; and the Rigel Awards Luncheon. Attendees can also utilize Direct Connect, which allows MBEs to notify exhibitors, in advance, of their plans to visit their booth at the Expo in an effort to cultivate, establish and expand meaningful business connections.

Additionally, two EXPO Marketplace Preparation Seminar — designed to coach exhibitors, prime suppliers, MBEs and general attendees on how to take full advantage of the EXPO’s potential — is scheduled, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the HMSDC office, 3 Riverway, Suite 555. Presenters will discuss how to prepare before the EXPO, what to do during the event and how to “turn contacts into contracts” after the EXPO.