Ohio’s minority, women, small-business owners get help

business with the city. The new conference expands that statewide.

“Mayor (Andrew J.) Ginther is committed to diversity and inclusion, particularly supplier diversity. He wants to put his brand and unique approach to the business conference,” said Steve Francis, the director of the city Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The conference is meant to provide tips, resources and business opportunities to business owners across the state. It also is meant to offer a platform to help business owners grow their business. More information at the conference can be found at www.columbus.gov/ombc/.

Francis is expecting the conference to draw about 1,000 people; the Mayor’s Small Business Conference & Expo used to attract about 700 people.

Cities, counties, school boards and other contracting authorities will be at the conference along with banks and other financial institutions.

The goal is to create more opportunities for these businesses to provide goods and services to government agencies throughout the state. At the same time, it gives government agencies, especially smaller cities, more potential businesses to turn to, especially smaller communities where there may not be many companies that municipalities can choose from for goods and services, Francis said.

“We think competition is good. We think new blood is good,” Francis said.

The new format for the conference will have more appeal to business owners because it will provide access to more government agencies and cities than the old format, said Kim Knights, president of the Central Ohio Minority Business Association.

Typically, various government agencies would each have their own conference that small businesses would have to attend to get similar access, she said.

“I like the concept much better than in the past . ... It’s always a challenge to do business with government for a small, minority, female or economically disadvantaged company compared with their counterparts,” she said.

A highlight of the conference will be a trade show that features business opportunities throughout the state. Businesses will be able to get access to industry experts and procurement officers along with lending institutions.

There also will be a luncheon featuring mayors from across the state discussing business trends and best practices in their respective cities, and municipality matchmaker sessions where businesses can connect with city and government buyers.

The biggest barriers to being able to compete for government contracts is access to capital, perceived barriers in terms of red tape and pre-qualifying so that companies become eligible to bid for work, Francis said.

“The feedback we’re getting is actually positive,” he said of the move to a statewide conference. “It is something (cities and government agencies) think is needed. They welcome the chance to get exposure to more than the usual suppliers.”