City to Host Upstate MWBE Conference May 8–10

Mayor Malik D. Evans today announced that the City of Rochester will host its 2nd Annual Upstate MWBE Conference May 8–10, 2024 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St. Minority and women business owners from the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Central New York and Southern Tier regions are invited to register at: www.cityofrochester.gov/MWBE.

This year’s event, themed Elevate, Educate and Collaborate, will offer an opportunity for MWBEs to elevate through recognition, be educated on small business and government contracting, and offer opportunities to learn about collaborative efforts related to mentoring, funding, project management, and contract prospecting. 

MWBE (Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises) is a federal program administered by state and local governments to help minority and women business owners overcome racial and structural barriers to securing government contracts for goods and services. The City’s MWBE policy seeks to direct 30 percent of the City’s aggregate annual spending on private contracts to certified MWBEs. To accelerate this goal, Mayor Evans expanded the MWBE team in the Purchasing Bureau from one to three employees.  

“With the support of a robust MWBE program, companies that were historically locked out of the government-purchasing process can tap into these funding streams, grow their businesses and create jobs,” said Mayor Evans. “I encourage minority and women business owners to register today for the Upstate MWBE Conference and learn how they – and their employees – can benefit from the millions of dollars that local governments invest each year in their communities.” 

The Upstate MWBE Conference will kick off at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 with a jazz reception, awards dinner and networking opportunities. It will continue from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 with training, keynote speaker, luncheon and networking reception. It will conclude on Friday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a panel discussion, MWBE Expo, and closing luncheon.  

The objective of the Upstate MWBE Conference is to promote meaningful conversations on a variety of topics to help MWBEs better understand the MWBE certification process, meet contractual obligations and establish relationships among industry peers and large “prime contractor” firms that often subcontract MWBEs. The discussions will emphasize the challenges and opportunities of working in the Upstate economy. 

Visit: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/MWBE/ to register or learn more.