| 10/22/2014 | ||
 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Free Workshop - New Certification process and procedures at DOA This important update on the State of Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program's new certification procedures is presented by the Wisconsin Department of Administration. It is a must for existing certified state suppliers and those new to the process. New changes have occurred and this is an opportunity to ask questions on the how this may impacts your certification!. | |
| 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm | Free Workshop - The Changing face of State contracting-opportunities and challenges The Department of Administration will cover in detail the new State contracting system and processes being implemented in the near future. This is critical information for anyone doing business with the State or planning to pursue State contracts in the future. This special session is free and open to all businesses. | |
| 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm | Free Workshop - Track A Grow Your Business Using Certifications Local, state and federal certifications can provide a significant advantage for your business. Hear directly from the agencies and experts that help businesses obtain certifications and learn how these potentially can be leveraged to find new opportunities. A certification only has value if it brings your business sales opportunities or provides access to resources. Join agency representatives and successful certified businesses who will share their knowledge and experience on minority, disadvantaged, woman,veteran, HUBZone and small businesses certifications. | Free Workshop -Track B Construction Contract Management Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), in partnership with Nugen Johnson and Bloom Companies, will cover the “Essentials of the Contract Management Process.” Success in the construction industry as a prime contractor begins and ends with successful contract management. Learn how to incorporate key, time-tested best practices into the various phases of the contract management process. This workshop will be led by Tim Poehnelt, P.E., of Nugen Johnson. Tim is the instructor for the highly regarded Construction Management Seminar Module as part of the District’s Workforce and Business Development Program. |
| 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Evening Networking Reception - $20 Reg/ $15 Certified MBE/WBE/DVB This business networking reception attracts hundreds of businesses along with government agency representatives, public officials, lenders, business service providers and Marketplace event corporate sponsors. This event includes hors d'oeuvres, live jazz, and a short award program recognizing the achievements of certified firms with decades of contracting experience. Lt. Governor Rebecca Fleefisch will welcome H.E. Liberata Mulamula Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States, who will share brief remarks about trade opportunities in Africa. The Marketplace Evening Reception is the perfect way to connect with other Marketplace attendees in a relaxed social setting. | |
| 10/23/2014 | ||
| 7:30 am - 8:00 am | Registration and Networking Get an early start to connecting with other attendees during registration - coffee and beverages available before breakfast starts. | |
| 7:30 am - 10:00 am | Breakfast for Champions (no additional charge) Begin networking with other attendees over a sit down breakfast while listening to business updates from WEDC officials, learning tips on how to maximize your time at Marketplace and hearing from major event sponsors welcoming you to the conference. Guest Speakers include: Ray Cross, President University of Wisconsin System Wyman B. Winston WHEDA's Executive Director The Expo Hall opens following the morning breakfast program and features Over a dozen seminar topics Business resources and lenders Meeting area with agency and corporate buyers A dedicated business networking lounge to make connections and Exciting Green Bay Packer Door Prize Drawings! | |
| 10:00 am - 11:45 am | Morning Tradeshow, Seminars & Matchmaking Inside the Marketplace Expo Hall you will find
Marketplace registration required to enter. | |
| 11:45 am - 1:30 pm | Marketplace Governor's Award Luncheon (no additional charge) For over 30 years, the achievements of minority-owned Wisconsin businesses have been celebrated at the Marketplace conference. In 2012, business awards for women and service disabled veteran businesses were added to recognize the contributions they also make to Wisconsin's economy and local communities. Join over 500 hundred attendees celebrate this year's award finalists and winners during the Marketplace award luncheon. Open seating at non-reserved tables also provides an opportunity for more in-depth networking with other businesses and potential customers. The keynote speaker is Daniel Isenberg who is a Babson Global professor of entrepreneurship practice and the founding executive director of the Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Project (BEEP). BEEP is an initiative that has been active in metro regions around the world to build and manage regional coalitions to create the policies, structures, programs and climate that foster growth entrepreneurship. Milwaukee is the first city in the United States to use his model to enable a platform to foster the area's entrepreneurship "ecosystem”. This initiative was named Scale Up Milwaukee and is a region-wide project helping entrepreneurs infuse their ventures with growth, which also helps the ecosystem “stakeholders” (educators, government, banks, equity investors, public institutions, corporations, local and national media) learn how to encourage and support that growth. The award program will recognize winners and finalists in the Outstanding Business and Rising Star Award Categories for MBE, WBE and DVB firms. The Expo Hall is closed during the luncheon and reopens following the program. | |
| 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm | Afternoon Tradeshow, Seminars & Matchmaking If you miss connecting with an agency or buyer in the morning, the afternoon Expo Hall session is a great time to avoid the morning rush. Inside the Marketplace EXPO Hall you will find
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