ACCESS 2008: retooled and reloaded

With an agenda showcasing minority business enterprises and providing face-to-face meeting time with corporate buyers and decision makers, the ACCESS 2008 business networking event looks to be the most dynamic in the 35 years of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Council.

Along with co-chairs from American Airlines, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Business News Group, the council is making big changes to this year’s ACCESS, scheduled for May 5-6 at the Arlington Convention Center.

The council is dedicated to offering attendees a program that soars beyond the traditional trade show. This year’s event has been completely revamped, from the floor space to how the event will be conducted. “This year, ACCESS is going to be more dynamic than ever,” said John Rau, ACCESS cochair and managing director of purchasing for American Airlines.“ACCESS is different this year because we are going to feature the MBEs and ensure they are showcased and given numerous networking opportunities throughout the day.”

A twist on the old format, certain areas and time slots will be dedicated to each industry group, ensuring that time spent at the event will be tailored to meet individual MBE and corporate sustaining members’ needs, Rau added.

“At American Airlines, we are excited that we will have designated times to bring in our buyers for a specific product or service grouping,” said Sherri Macko, manager for supplier diversity at American Airlines.“We feel that we will be able to get more buyers to the event by knowing exactly when they should be there. We think the focus on MBEs at this year’s event will prove to be a win/win.”

The changes in this year’s format are based on input from past attendees, Rau said. In developing the new concept, the planning committee considered many issues. “We also looked at the feedback that was provided in last year’s survey and we took the suggestions seriously,” he added.“We knew that we needed to change it up quite a bit.

We also knew that we were charged with blazing a trail that would determine the success of this event in 2008 and beyond.”

With a goal of creating a bold effort to attract recurring as well as new attendees, the new format provides a vehicle for sustaining members to make great connections, Rau explained.

“Corporations and the public sector agencies are looking to source minorities, and minorities in business want to access that potential business,” said Margo J. Posey, council president.

“As a public entity, [D/FW Airport is] always interested in making sure we have provided an opportunity for our community to bid and participate in opportunities at the airport,” said Don O’Bannon, ACCESS co-chairman and vice president of Small and Emerging Business for D/FW Airport. “This is a venue in which we’re able to identify potential vendors and bring them information about what is going on at the airport and get them involved in some of our contracting opportunities.”

During the allotted times, MBEs may receive spot bids with state agencies at the event, Posey said. “We’ve encouraged agencies to bring projects to be bid on at ACCESS. On one day, we will schedule MBEs to go through and talk with the contracting agencies, whether they are state or private,” Posey said.

“We asked them to bring a list of their needs and they can even accept bids at the event and award them before the end of the show.”

The various industry groups will be split in segments, so MBEs can pick the specific groups they’re most likely to do business with, she pointed out. “We want them to have the opportunity to come out and leave with a bid,” Posey added.

“We want to connect the right buyers with the right suppliers. Acalendar will be available to those registered to attend, and we’ll schedule buyers in specific industry groups at certain times.”

“The main objective is to get the quality face time with corporations from across the country and in the Metroplex,” said Don McKneely, ACCESS co-chair and president/ CEO of Business News Group Publications. “Hopefully the big businesses will have some vendors to bring them new product.”

Breaking tradition from a standard lunch program, this year will feature testimonials from corporations and individuals who have benefited from their relationship with the council over its 35 years, McKneeley said. “It will be very inspiring, and everyone will be pumped.”

There is a different concept for the floor, too, Posey explained.

“People can leave the big booth at home,” she said. “We’re taking a back-to-basics approach, encouraging people to bring the people for opportunities.” Those wishing to participate in the event need to pre-register by contacting the council at www.dfwmbdc.com or 214-630-0747.