GOVERNOR CRIST ADDRESSES 2008 MATCHMAKER CONFERENCE
~~ ~Minority, women and service-disabled business entrepreneurs connect with state purchasing officials~ ~~
November 20, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
KISSIMMEE – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Department of Management Services Secretary Linda H. South and nearly 700 minority, women and service-disabled business entrepreneurs at the 2008 MatchMaker Conference and Trade Show in Kissimmee. He also participated in a roundtable discussion with business representatives.
“Florida’s commitment to minority business owners expanded this year to include service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs in the preference in government contracting,” Governor Crist said. “Opening the door to state business for another minority class strengthens Florida’s business friendly climate and is good for the state’s economic prosperity.”
NAACP President Adora Obi Nweze joined Governor Crist in signing a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the NAACP and the Office of Supplier Diversity within the Department of Management Services. Working together, they commit to increase the number of black-owned businesses certified as minority business enterprises from 574 to 700 by November 2009.
“Florida is a national leader in state government supplier diversity, and partnerships like this continue to advance our great state’s recognition in that role,” said Governor Crist. “Thanks to President Obi Nweze and the NAACP, as well as the Florida Conference of Black Legislators, for their support as we continue to advance Florida’s economic development.”
The annual MatchMaker Conference links minority-, women- and now service-disabled veteran-owned businesses with state government and corporate sponsors to drive economic development. Presented by DMS’s Office of Supplier Diversity, the conference and trade show feature nearly 200 companies, as well as state and local government representatives, looking to purchase goods and services from eligible, certified minority vendors.
During the 2007-08 fiscal year, the state purchased $2.9 billion in goods and services through certified minority business enterprises for the second year in a row. In 2007, the Small Business Survival Index ranked Florida as the fifth friendliest state in the nation for entrepreneurship. In 2007, the Pollina Group ranked Florida the third most pro-business state in the nation. The annual national study evaluates the business climates of each state based on 29 factors considered important to business.