Welcome to GATEWAY 2019!
GATEWAY is the Gulf South's premier annual business conference for corporations, government, nonprofits, and minority business enterprises. This two-day event draws hundreds from across the United States to New Orleans, Louisiana, providing a venue for thought-provoking discussion, relevant training, efficient matchmaking and recognition of the region's first in class businesses. This year our theme is DIFFERENT BY DESIGN. As different forms of thinking separate cultures, it’s also the case between those who are happy and prosperous and those who aren’t. Any significant change has always come from thinking outside the box. Familiarity often turns our mental box into a cage of mediocracy, thereby crippling our potential success and sapping our energy. We have taken on a new challenge. We are imagining new ways of doing things and we are being DIFFERENT BY DESIGN. DIFFERENT about how we support minority businesses through accreditation, advocacy, and matchmaking with our corporate supporters. Take a moment and register today, you don't want to miss the chance to meet industry leaders, decision-makers and influencers, reconnect with colleagues, network with clients and, more importantly, find potential customers.
Conference Location:
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
601 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, 70113
(504) 561-1234
Conference Hotel:
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
601 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, 70113
(504) 561-1234
** Please note, the online room block link is now closed. It will open on May 1, 2019. Guests are able to reserve rooms under the SRMSDC room block rate by calling the hotel directly at (504) 561-1234.
TENTATIVE CONFERENCE AGENDA
(UPDATED ON APRIL 6, 2019)
WEDNESDAY, September 4, 2019
Early Registration, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
If you arrive Wednesday, please stop by the registration desk to pick up your registration packets. You are free to drop off any information you may have brought with you for the business expo.
Give Back Volunteer Reception & Competition Event 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
This high-energy and high-impact event on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, brings together small business owners, corporate professional, and civic leaders that come together and help the SRMSDC provide products to the regional community. Many of the products we assemble will be picked up by Nonprofit Social Service Partners directly from the site and distributed within days. One of the benefits of supporting this event is that during the reception, attendees not only get the opportunity to enjoy some great food and beverages, but they also get to have a fascinating networking experience.
We reinvented the conference format with a unique approach to entertaining our conference attendess. A detailed set design, a stage flanked by cinenmatic seating, and a dynamic performance that will tantilize all of your senses.
THURSDAY, September 5, 2019
Registration, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Arrive early to pick up your registration kits and drop off any information you may have brought with you for the business expo
Thursday Kick-Off Breakfast, TBD, 8:00 am – 8:45 am
Join us for our Thursday Kickoff Breakfast the morning of the Gateway Conference. Enjoy a fresh breakfast, an inspirational speaker, coffee, team and just the right amount of positive energy to get our conference off to a great start. All Kick-Off Breakfast Attendees get a chance to enter to win the following:
- One Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2020 Valued at $1,100
- One MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2020 Valued at $450
- One Non-Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2020 Valued at $1800
- One Non-Certified MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2020 Valued at $800
THURSDAY MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
*PLEASE NOTE, SESSIONS A & D WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY FROM 9:00 AM TO 9:45 AM.
**PLEASE NOTE, SESSIONS B & E WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY FROM 10:00 AM TO 10:45 AM.
***PLEASE NOTE, SESSIONS C & F WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY FROM 11:00 AM TO 11:45 AM.
*Morning Breakout Session A, TBD, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Have a topic? Email mlatham@srmsdc.org
**Morning Breakout Session B, Thomas Jones, 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Social Norms are Changing - The New Office Dynamics After #MeToo
According to a 2017 survey from Vault, more than half of all employees have engaged in a workplace romance at some point. Like it or not, romance is likely to be an issue for your business at some point. If you have more than one employee, the problem may eventually come up. If you don’t take the time to formulate concrete policies and procedures, your business could be irreparably damaged. As business leaders, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone that works with you feels safe and supported.
***Morning Breakout Session C, TBD, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
*Morning Breakout Session D, TBD, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
**Morning Breakout Session E, TBD, 10:00 am – 10:45 am
***Morning Breakout Session F, TBD, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Keynote Luncheon, TBD, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Business EXPO, 1:45 pm to 3:45 pm
SRMSDC’s Gateway Business EXPO is the Gulf’s most active marketplace bringing diverse suppliers and buyers together. Participation places you in the heart of where MBE supply and corporate demand meet. Don’t miss out on your best opportunity this year to meet and mingle with the decision makers, diverse entrepreneurs, and supplier diversity professionals.
Recognition Reception, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
The Recognition Reception is the SRMSDC’s fun way of recognizing our heroes and heroines. We will also have special guest performer at this recognition reception.
FRIDAY, September 6, 2019
Registration, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Arrive early to make arrangements to attend our annual LEADERSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON.
Friday Kick-Off Breakfast, Dr. Janet Barnes, 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Join us for our Friday Kickoff Breakfast! Again, we encourage you to enjoy a fresh breakfast, our motivational breakfast speaker, coffee, team and just the right amount of positive energy to get our certified MBES and Corporate members ready the B2B Matchmaker. All Kick-Off Breakfast Attendees get a chance to enter to win the following:
One Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $1,100
- One MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $450
- One Non-Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $1800
- One Non-Certified MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $800
Business-to-Business Matchmaker, 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
**PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS FOR EXISITING CORPORATE MEMBERS AND CERTIFIED MBES ONLY
For 45 years, our business Matchmaker has connected certified MBEs to public and private contracting opportunities. As one of the most significant business matchmaking events in the region, this event offers a unique opportunity for certified MBEs interested in doing business with the federal, state, local or private companies to meet with representatives to market and sell their goods and services. This specific event is only open to full conference registered attendees that are either certified MBEs or Corporate Members of the SRMSDC.
Leadership Awards Luncheon, 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
The SRMSDC Leadership Awards Luncheon will recognize the dynamic corporate executives, minority business owners and SRMSDC advocates for their outstanding leadership.
After Conference Networking, 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
The Conference ends, 2:00 pm
