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IMPORTANT NOTICE: LUNCH FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, HAS REACHED MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR NEW REGISTRATIONS
Welcome to GATEWAY 2018!
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 THINK DIFFERENTLY. 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 prison without realization, crippling our potential success and sapping our happiness. We have taken on a new challenge. We are THINKING DIFFERENTLY about how we certify, develop advocate, and connect and we hope that you take the challenge as well. 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. Guests are able to reserve rooms under the SRMSDC room block rate by calling the hotel directly at (504) 561-1234.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
(UPDATED ON AUGUST 15, 2018)
WEDNESDAY, August 29, 2018
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.
Backpack-A-Thon Volunteer Reception, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This high-energy and high-impact event on Wednesday, August 29th brings together small business owners, corporate professional, and civic leaders that compete to fill 800 backpacks in under two hours. Bags are filled assembly-line style with all the new school supplies a child needs to be ready to learn — many of which 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 Backpack-A-Thon reception attendees not only get the opportunity to enjoy some great food and beverages, but they also get to have a fascinating networking experience.
Below, please find a description of the volunteers needed.
Stuffers - Folders, erasers, and pencils galore! These school essentials have long been searching for a backpack to call home and a child to supply. While working together with volunteers, we plan to fill 400 bags. Once these backpacks are filled with all the tools kids need to succeed, they will be carted off by your fellow volunteers to the next step toward their final destination. We need a minimum of 30 volunteers.
Suppliers - If procurement gets you all jazzed up, then this job is for you! You will be unpacking supplies and providing supplies to the Stuffer teams. We need a minimum of 10 volunteers.
Compactors - Those cardboard boxes and plastic bags aren’t going to break themselves down. We need volunteers with the strength, skill, and enthusiasm to take down even the most robust supply boxes. You and your team will help remove supply packaging and cart it to the suppliers. We need a minimum of 10 volunteers.
Haulers - A little bit of muscle and a lot of energy will go a long way if you take on this vital position. Backpacks need to be taken from the end of the backpack stuffing lines and loaded into boxes. These boxes will be labeled and placed on trailers ready for transport. Some of these backpacks will be given out right on site to the volunteer partners that participate in the Backpack-A-Thon. Others will be picked up by community partners the following day. We need a minimum of 10 volunteers.
THURSDAY, August 30, 2018
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, Stephanie Finley, 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 2019 Valued at $1,000
- One MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $400
- One Non-Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $1300
- One Non-Certified MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $550
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, Abe Harper, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Should You Care About Cyber Security?
You may be reading this and own a business or know someone that does. You may be reading this thinking “why should I care about cybersecurity?” You may also be reading this thinking “Cyber-security issues only happen to large businesses.” According to UPS Capital, Almost two-thirds of all cyber-attacks are now directed at small business. Cyber-attacks cost small businesses between $84,000 and $148,000; 60% of small companies go out of business within six months of an attack; and, 90% of small business don’t use any data protection at all for company and customer information.
Think your business can withstand a cyber-attack? If so? There is no need to attend this session. If not, learn from industry experts what you can do lower your threat of a breach.
**Morning Breakout Session B, Thomas Jones, 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Thank Us Later – Three Things You MUST Know About 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, Faith Hunter, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
All Stressed Out and You Don’t Even Know it!
Tired? Can’t focus? Ready to SNAP? According to a recent poll, there is a growing trend known as ‘cerebral overload’ – when you were so overloaded and stressed you couldn't keep up, and you start to shut down. Sound familiar? When you’re suffering from chronic fatigue or anxiety, your brain starts to freeze, and that’s when indecisiveness or ‘analysis paralysis’ starts to set in. People tend to struggle mentally, and it event becomes increasingly more and more difficult to make the most straightforward decisions. Learn how to get your Chi (life force energy) in order.
*Morning Breakout Session D, Albert Shen, 9:00 am – 9:45 am
The Inclusion of the Underserved Communities in the Mobility Innovation Economy
As cities across the nation expand and develop new smart city initiatives to integrate open data with new transportation systems, there will be new opportunities for small businesses owners. As the mobility innovation economy surges ahead, it is vital that federal, state & local governmental leaders consider not just the small business owners but the underserved to support the development of new mobility initiatives. Learn why the mainstream innovation community must be inclusive of all communities if we are going to connect the nation.
**Morning Breakout Session E, Dima Dhawi, 10:00 am – 10:45 am
How to Future-Proof Your Company: Engaging Gen Y to Z ™
Millennials have begun a positive disruption in the workplace that will continue in future generations. Many companies have still not adapted their culture to millennials, while another generation is ready to enter the workplace.
- Explore the similarities and differences of each generation to increase understanding and reduce conflicts
- Learn about their values, motivators, and strengths of Millennials and Gen Z to better engage them in the workplace
- Learn tips for effective communication and engagement across generations
***Morning Breakout Session F, Liana Alvarez, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Integrating Sustainability in the Oil & Gas Industry and its Supply Chain
How can corporations and suppliers work together to advance social inclusion, environmental performance, and economic development? In this session, we will discuss the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how the Oil & Gas industry is contributing to the advancement of the SDGs. Engaging the industry’s supply chain in these efforts is a crucial element in progressing the goals through broader cooperation and resource leverage.
Keynote Luncheon, Harriet Michel, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Michel to the Southern Region. This is Harriet's first significant appearance since October 2017. Harriet R. Michel is the former president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). For 22 years, Mrs. Michel managed the NMSDC and helped it expand internationally. In 2002, NMSDC member corporations' purchases more than $72 billion from minority-owned businesses. Mrs. Michel is a noted administrator and public policy expert on minority issues and has worked tirelessly for over 30 years in the public sector developing and managing programs that address major social concerns.
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.
FRIDAY, August 31, 2018
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 $1,000
- One MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $400
- One Non-Corporate Member Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $1300
- One Non-Certified MBE Registration Packet for Gateway 2019 Valued at $550
Business-to-Business Matchmaker, 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
**PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS FOR 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