SCMBDC's 40th Annual Minority Business Opportunity Day to Be Held Feb. 17 in Industry Hills

MBOD 2009 features seminars, a business fair, appointments with corporate
buyers, and representatives from the world's largest high-tech companies
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
Southern California Minority Business Development Council (SCMBDC) is holding
its 40th annual Minority Business Opportunity Day (MBOD) on February 17 at the
Pacific Palms Conference Resort, One Industry Hills Parkway in Industry Hills.

MBOD 2009 offers minority businesses access to corporate representatives,
seminars and workshops featuring procurement professionals from major
corporations and organizations, networking opportunities at the business
opportunity exhibit fair, and more. Last year, more than 1,000 corporate
representatives and minority suppliers attended the event.

"Small and minority business owners are especially feeling the pinch of this
recession," says John W. Murray, Jr., president of the council. "But for the
price of just $35, they can meet corporate buyers and decision makers from major
corporations, learn how to get in the door with these businesses, and,
ultimately, become more successful. Every year, attendees tell us it's a
worthwhile way to spend the day."

The event will also include a panel discussion on "How to do business with the
high-tech industry," featuring procurement executives from Apple, HP, Microsoft
and Oracle. Panelists include: Lance Hyde, supplier diversity program manager,
global procurement, Oracle; Fernando J. Hernandez, supplier diversity director,
Microsoft; Maurice Webb, supplier diversity manager, corporate procurement,
Apple, and Brian Tippens, supplier diversity manager, HP.

MBOD 2009 - one of the largest events of its kind in the western United States
-- will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The registration fee is $35 per ticket for
suppliers and includes a continental breakfast, a buffet lunch and participation
in all MBOD activities, including the business fair and one-on-one, by
appointment only, events. Registration is available online at www.scmbdc.org.
Onsite registration is also available for $50 per ticket.

Appointments with Corporate Buyers

This year's event will again feature brief one-on-one appointments where
suppliers have an opportunity to meet with procurement professionals from major
corporations. The appointments are designed to strategically match minority
suppliers with buyers and decision makers in a variety of industries.

Participating corporations include The Walt Disney Company and The Boeing
Company. To participate in these interviews, complete the one-on-one participant
registration information on the council`s web site, www.scmbdc.org. Only
businesses that have received confirmed interview schedules will be able to
participate in this popular activity. Interviews are based on a first-come
first-served basis with corporate members so register early. To better "match"
corporate participants, business owners should identify their primary products
and services on the registration form.

Business Opportunity Exhibit Fair

More than 400 corporate representatives, purchasing and procurement staff
members are expected to be on hand to meet with minority suppliers face-to-face
and provide information on how to get "in the door" with their companies. For
participating suppliers, it`s also a great opportunity to showcase products and
services to countless major corporations for a minimal cost in a corporate
relationship-building environment.

Sponsors to date include: (title sponsor) Toyota Motor Sales; American Honda
Motor Co., Inc.; British Petroleum (BP); Southern California Gas Company; Hilton
Hotels Corporation; Southern California Edison; American Airlines;
ConocoPhillips; Los Angeles Department of Water & Power; Kaiser Permanente;
Macy`s West; Northrop Grumman Corporation; The Boeing Company; The Walt Disney
Company, and UPS.

Exhibitors include: California Water Association; Los Angeles World Airports;
Port of Los Angeles; The Port of Long Beach; Acro Services Corporation;
Specialized Marketing Services, Inc.; 1st PMF Bancorp; Aldelano Packaging Corp.;
American Indian Chamber of Commerce; Apple; Asian Business Association; ASV,
Inc.; BCF Capital; China Herbs Int`l, LLC; California Public Utilities
Commission; Custom Cable; Ergonomic Comfort Design; Halliburton Company; HP;
Johnson & Johnson-Lifescan; MBE Magazine; Microsoft; Miller Brewing Company;
Oracle; Pacific Palms Resort; Redapt Systems, Inc.; RJT Compuquest, Inc.; Robert
Half Internatinoal; Software House International (SHI); Southwest Gas; State
Farm; Turner Construction, and Valley Economic Development.

The exhibit fair will be open from 11:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. For exhibitor
information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Shawn Smith, (213) 689-6940,
or ssmith@scmbdc.org.

Southern California Minority Business Development Council, the region`s largest
nonprofit minority business advocacy organization, serves more than 1,100
minority business enterprises and 200 corporate members throughout 13 counties.
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Los Angeles, it is one of 39 regional
councils in the National Minority Supplier Development Council network. For
information about SCMBDC, visit www.scmbdc.org or call (213) 689-6960.

SCMBDC
Vicki Cho Estrada, 661-255-8024
choestrada@earthlink.net
or
Virginia Gomez, 213-689-6960, ext. 223
vgomez@scmbdc.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009