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LAS VEGAS (May 16, 2018) — Certify & Sell has announced that registration is open for Certify & Sell 2018, https://certifyandsell.com, a conference designed by experts to introduce the diversity business certification process to businesses that can then use their certification as a resource to secure government and commercial contracts, and get training in best business practices.
The inaugural conference will be held Aug. 21-23, 2018, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, NV.
Each year federal, state, and local governments allocate more than $400 billion to spend with Certified Diversity Suppliers. These agencies give budding entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses the potential to secure contracts, in part, because of their commitment to diversity in their purchasing practices.
Established Fortune 500 companies also seek to do business with diverse enterprises, expanding possible business connections exponentially. A group of firms formed the Billion Dollar Round Table https://www.billiondollarroundtable.org/ to “Lead, Influence & Shape Supplier Diversity Excellence Globally.” Their members will spend a combined $28 billion in the next year.
Businesses owned by veterans, disadvantaged, disabled, minorities, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered can benefit from the training and education that will be available at Certify & Sell 2018. During the event participants will become familiar with the procedures for securing diversity certifications that can give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Joanne Peterson, one of Certify and Sell’s presenters has been involved with diversity certification since 1989 when the State of Illinois first certified her company, Abator, as a WBE (women business enterprise).
“It’s important to note that there is no guarantee that diversity certification alone will garner more opportunities,” Peterson said. “That’s why this conference has a strong business development track.”
Some of the nation’s leading experts in diversity certification, as well as business and entrepreneurship, have come together to host this conference with the goal to assist businesses in navigating the sometimes complicated world of supplier diversity, along with leadership, technology, and best practices training.
The three-day event will focus on the types of diversity certifications, help businesses understand the process and discover whether they are “certifiable.” There will be expert keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussion. Each will be designed to further a business owner, manager, and entrepreneur’s understanding of diversity certification.
“Abator’s team is excited to participate in the Certify and Sell 2018 Conference,” Peterson said. “When we were first certified, it was a simpler time. Applying for diversity certification today can be overwhelming, especially for smaller businesses who could benefit tremendously.”
Peterson, Abator’s founder and CEO of the systems integration practice, said she knows business owners have an entrepreneurial dream, which rarely includes learning how to deal with bureaucratic forms and processes.
“We know, because we were them in the 1990s,” she said. “But, we’re also IT folks, so we developed systems to support our certification application process, which we found could then help others. Combining our web portal with one-on-one assistance, we’re committed to helping diverse businesses get certified, and letting them get back to their real business dreams.”
Peterson developed the “Am I Certifiable” program in 2015, and dedicates the majority of her time to the diversity wing of Abator’s offerings.
Earl Mann, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of several technology firms, is also one of the event organizers, and will be a speaker during the three-day conference. Mann served in both the U.S. Navy and as an officer in the U.S. Marines. His corporate experience includes marketing online, market research, and business intelligence.
“We have the nation’s leading experts affording attendees the ability to gain all the information necessary to earn diversity certification,” Mann said. “ However, without the knowledge of what it takes to start, run, staff, and succeed in business, all the certifications will not help at all.”
Mann, who has more than 10 years experience of developing emerging technologies, and staffing start-ups, said he along with several other experts have gathered the nation’s leading business experts, put together workshops, and developed workbooks, and glossaries, that will all contribute to helping business owners leave the event more prepared to succeed in the marketplace.
“I would say the event is about 60 percent about diversity certification and 40 percent marketing, sales, and communications,” Mann said. “On the business side, we’ll have sessions on marketing, social media, how to structure your day, strategies, and how best to set priorities, and much more.”
Lawson Owen, founder of Proactive Dealer Solutions, The BDC Experts, will be one of the lead speakers during the Certify & Sell 2018 Conference. Proactive is credited with developing the Business Development Center (BDC) concept for retailers more than 25 years ago. The firm has assisted more than 3,500 BDCs across North America.
“Our years of experience have given us the tools to understand and implement an end-to-end BDC solution that can help you communicate more efficiently and effectively with new and existing clients,” said Owen, a military veteran, who is also co-founder and Board Member of Patient Engagement Centers of America, an organization that empowers hospitals and primary care physicians to implement business development strategies.
“We are proud to have been asked to speak during this important and valuable conference. Proactive has been at the cutting-edge of utilizing artificial intelligence to monitor, track, and collect data analytics on direct communications with clients and prospects. We’ll be sharing what we’ve learned and what we see coming around the curve.”
A 3-Day All Access Pass to Certify & Sell 2018 is $1,199. A significant discount is available for early registrants.
For additional details and to learn more about the inaugural diversity business certification process and conference visit https://certifyandsell.com/why-attend.
Release ID: 349881