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OPA News Release: [10/23/2008]
Contact Name: Otto Heck or Suzy Bohnert
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x4665
Release Number: 08-1454-ATL
U.S. Department of Labor Opportunity Conference is success for Florida’s minority entrepreneurs, community and faith-based groups
ORLANDO, Fla. — Today, entrepreneurs; job seekers; and nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations from Florida's various ethnic groups gathered at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel for the U.S. Department of Labor's sixth annual Opportunity Conference: Navigating Economic Uncertainty. The conference was established by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to help underserved communities have access to free seminars ranging from how to access capital in the current environment to government procurement for beginners.
"We all have a tremendous stake in ensuring that America's major ethnic communities are vibrant, prosperous and become even more integral to the U.S. workforce," said Deputy Secretary of Labor Howard Radzely, who spoke at the conference.
Guests also heard speeches by Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, U.S. Small Business Administration acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah, and Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman of Carlson Companies and author of "How We Lead Matters."
The day-long conference featured workshops that discussed government procurement strategies for small businesses, a course on entrepreneurship through starting and developing a small business, and a workshop on how to apply for federal jobs. The conference also included an exhibit hall filled with organizations representing minority interests and government agencies.
Conference co-sponsors included Women Entrepreneurs Inc., the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Urban League and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce.
Conference partners were Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; the Cuban American National Council; the Federal Asian Pacific American Council; the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; MANA, a national Latina organization; Minority Business Roundtable; the National Association of Asian American Professionals; the National Council of La Raza; SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc.; Top Ladies of Distinction Inc.; the U.S. Asian Business Council; the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute; the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the U.S. Small Business Administration; the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida; Latino Coalition; and the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council.
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