Chris Rabb
Lexington, KY –The Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo is coming back for its twelfth year for two days at the Lexington Center, starting on July 31.
This year’s event will be highlighted by two keynote speakers on the second day. Chris Rabb, author of Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity, will deliver a keynote speech at 10:30 a.m. while Wil James, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, will speak during the event’s luncheon.
Held annually to offer women and minority business owners a chance to network, explore exhibit spaces and hear from peers and success stories alike, the expo is still seeking companies that would like to exhibit their goods and services.
Individual registration for the expo is $55; small business exhibitor booths are $150 and corporate exhibit booths are $400, through July 28.
The conference kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on July 31 with a special session for diversity managers and small business service providers. “Next Practices: A Paradigm Shift for Supplier Diversity Managers” will look into new ways for service providers to better connect with minority- and women-owned businesses. A reception that is free and open to the public will follow from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., offering an opportunity to meet business owners and exhibitors.
On Aug. 1, an exhibition and trade show runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while breakout sessions begin at 9 a.m. The sessions cover topics that organizers said work for business owners, from start-ups to mature businesses. Topics include exporting, the Affordable Care Act, funding, how to do business with the state and federal government, how to start a business and how to form strategic alliances and joint ventures.
There will also be one-on-one sessions for participants to meet with public and private sector procurement officers. For more information, visit www.lexingtonmbe.com.