Nicor Gas Sponsors 2007 Chicago MED Week

Nicor Gas Sponsors 2007 Chicago MED Week

Nicor Gas will join Exelon Corporation, International Truck, and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), as the featured sponsors of the 2007 Chicago Minority Enterprise Development Week celebration (MED Week), August 23-24.

Chicago MED Week is hosted by the Chicago MED Council, which was established in 1982 and consists of minority business owners, corporations and government agencies that are committed to supporting and maximizing opportunities for minority businesses. The Chicago MED Week celebration consists of outcome-oriented workshops targeted at minority-owned businesses, and the Annual MED Week Awards Gala.

This year's featured workshops will be:

Capital Connections
This workshop offers attendees a tremendous opportunity to explore traditional and non-traditional sources of capital. With the emergence of numerous sources of alternative financing, the opportunity to augment and/or substitute traditional financing sources has become a viable option for minority entrepreneurs. Representatives will discuss bank loans and new market tax credits, private equity, private loan funds and other alternative financing methods. In addition to the prepared discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to delve into issues and concerns during the Q & A session.

IT Exchange
IT buyers and professionals will discuss challenges and opportunities facing information technology firms. The industry-diverse panel will provide insight on doing business within their given sector. This workshop is targeted at professional IT firms seeking to secure or develop a corporate client base.

Government Contracting
Government contractors and contracting officers will share the fundamental steps of marketing to the government and positioning your company to win contracts. Federal, state and local contracting officers and purchasing personnel will be on hand to provide business owners with current contract opportunities. Forecasts of upcoming procurement/contracting opportunities for various agencies will also be provided.

Other corporations that have active memberships include (but are not limited to): BP North America; General Services Administration; Johnson Controls, Inc.; Kraft Foods, Inc.; Northern Trust; Royal Crane Service; Safety Solutions, Inc.; Shore Bank; Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation; U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency; U.S. Small Business Administration; United Airlines; United Building Maintenance; and W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Nicor Gas' sponsorship of this event is a key part of its supplier diversity program. Nicor Gas is committed to supporting organizations that facilitate the cultivation of business relationships with minority, women, and veteran owned businesses.

For more information about the 2007 Chicago MED Week and the Chicago MED Council, please contact Dave Thomas, Sr. Supplier Diversity Administrator, at 630-388-2870 or dthoma1@nicor.com.

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