Last week, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce (GMCoC) hosted its Supplier Diversity Summit, bringing together minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses to network and explore local resources that can help them attain certifications, access capital for expansion, secure contracts and become suppliers for larger corporations such as Atrium Health Navicent and Georgia Power.

Over 80 business owners attended the Summit, representing businesses that are certified, seeking certification or just beginning the process. The businesses ranged from small operations and sole proprietors to large firms with over $1 million in revenue.

The program took place on Thursday, October 3, at Middle Georgia State University. Representatives from Atrium and Southern Company were there, as well as entrepreneur support organizations like the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Multicultural Business Division, NewTown Macon, ACE Capital, Macon-Bibb County Office of Small Business Affairs, Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Keynote lunch speaker Verónica Maldonado-Torres, president of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, spoke on the importance of business inclusion and the economic impact of Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses in Georgia. Following her keynote, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce signed an official memorandum of understanding creating an alliance between both Chambers to partner in programming, membership benefits and business development efforts.

“This is some of the most important work we do as a Chamber,” said Jessica Walden, President of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. “The connections we made today are filling business pipelines, building partnerships and emphasizing the importance of a diverse and inclusive economy that strengthens our economic vitality.”

The Greater Macon Chamber’s Supplier Diversity Summit is part of the Chamber’s strategic workforce initiatives promoting talent attraction and retention, as well as advancing local workforce development opportunities.

In addition to a local resource panel, the Summit offered breakout sessions designed to meet businesses at any stage - from new entrepreneurs and businesses in the pre-certification process, to certified businesses that could have direct conversations with each other as well as leaders from Southern Company and Atrium Health Navicent.

This is the second Supplier Diversity Summit the Greater Macon Chamber has hosted. The Chamber regularly provides relevant programming that connects businesses with its growing network of nearly 800 investors seeking to make Macon the best community for business. Upcoming Chamber programming can be found on MaconChamber.com.

Event photos can be downloaded here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBM18m