Business Opportunity Connections Day brings together our Corporate Family, MBE Family, and our Diverse Supplier Family for a half-day to REconnect, REimagine, REfuel, and REfresh ourselves and our businesses. After quarantining and social distancing for over two years, it’s time to REunite and cultivate new opportunities and growth. Let’s strengthen the roots that connect us together to impact our community and future generations. JOIN US!

Here’s why you should attend Business Opportunity Connections Day:

COVID PROTOCOLS

As Nevada continues to recover from the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic, and tools to combat the severity of illness are more widely available, Emergency Directive 052 lifts the requirements for face masks statewide. Therefore, wearing a face mask will be optional for attendees. Click Here to Sign Waiver Each attendee must sign our Covid-19 Waiver. Click the button above to sign it in advance for a speedier check-in. Please use the same name and email that you used to register for the event. After you sign, click the “Download” or “Print” button when prompted; this will generate a digital or paper copy of your signed waiver to show us at the door on event day. If you do not sign the waiver in advance, you will need to sign at the door, which may delay your check-in.

The event has ended.

All times listed are in Pacific Daylight Time and activities may change Check back frequently for updates!

Check frequently for updates and more details.

Featured Speaker

Event Host

Cecil Plummer

President & CEO

Cecil Plummer is the president and a member of the Board of Directors for the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. Plummer formerly worked with Robert Half for 17 years and left his most recent position as the Director of CSS Strategic Solutions to join the Council. Plummer has over 13 years of executive leadership experience and possesses a solid background in strategic sourcing, change management, performance and process improvement, Supplier Diversity, strategic planning, and risk management.

TED-Style Speakers

Brought to you by:

Amy Clark

Senior Manager

Amy Clark has over 20 years of experience in supply chain in the electric utility and gaming industries. After retiring from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Amy joined NV Energy as a supply chain and procurement manager. Amy is currently a senior manager at Aristocrat focused on supplier diversity, environmental social governance, and compliance. In addition to her supply chain experience, Amy was an adjunct professor at Georgia Northwestern Technical for five years. At GNTC, she taught business law, economics, HR management, leadership and management principles, labor relations, managerial accounting, and employment law. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. She is a Certified Professional in Supply Management as designated by the Institute for Supply Management, Inc. Amy continues to further her education and will graduate this year with her Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Global Supply Chain Management.

Topic: “Family Secrets: How to Do Business with Large Corporations”

Matt Esper

Manager of Sustainability Data & Reporting

As Manager of Sustainability Data & Reporting at MGM Resorts International, Matt Esper helps to enable progress on Social Impact & Sustainability goals through research and data analysis. After years of working in hospitality operations and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, Matt became interested in sustainability after being challenged with planning several corporate giving programs in his role. This inspired him to pursue a graduate degree in sustainability, leading him to live in China and Switzerland. Matt has worked at the nexus of sustainability and hospitality, helping organizations in the hotel, restaurant, and gaming sectors discover and achieve their sustainability goals. One of his proudest moments at MGM Resorts is launching MGM Planet Protectors – an employee network group dedicated to environmental sustainability to create a network of environmental champions at the company.

Topic: “Sustainability Strategies as a Competitive Advantage”

Conversations: $how ME (Minority Enterprises) the Money!

Brought to you by:

Adequate financing is vital for starting and running a successful business. Lack of funding has been a hurdle for many minority-owned businesses. This conversation will share options and resources to drive growth and enable small- to medium-sized businesses to thrive.

Leanna Jenkins

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Nevada Business Opportunity Fund/Nevada Women’s Business Center, Leanna is dedicated to the development, empowerment, and success of women and minority entrepreneurs in Nevada. A passionate and engaging public speaker, Leanna has presented at local and national events. Leanna serves as an alternate member of the Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) for Clark County and also serves as a mentor for the Emerging Leaders Program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration now known as T.H.R.I.V.E.. On invitation, Leanna attended the hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs. Leanna has received numerous awards throughout her career, including awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Nic Steele

Executive Director

Nic Steele is the executive director of Access Community Capital Inc., a community loan fund providing affordable capital to small businesses primarily located in Southern Nevada. Access Community Capital is a minority-led, mission-driven organization directed by entrepreneurs who understand the plight of business ownership. As an entrepreneur, Nic Steele knows firsthand how lack of access to affordable capital can adversely affect the trajectory of a business and stifling its growth potential. While also investing in other entrepreneurs, he has focused on changing the landscape of opportunity for underserved populations by operating Access Community Capital as a Community Development Financial Institution, compelled to address the inequities present in the lending landscape. Nic Steele is most excited about his current role as both a lender and business advisor to entrepreneurs developing their own ideas into successful companies.

Saul Ramos

Nevada District Director

Saul Ramos,  Nevada SBA District Director, has held several leadership positions during his 20-year federal career and is a graduate of the President’s Management Council Program. He has represented SBA in various roles, including International Development Specialist, Senior Area Manager, and oversight of the Economic and Business Development team. Saul leads a passionate, talented and experienced Nevada SBA team focused on putting customers—the nation's small businesses—first. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked closely with the Nevada District team and partners to provide capital and technical assistance programs to the hardest-hit and underserved small businesses. This was a monumental task that helped small businesses survive and preserved the jobs and livelihoods of millions in Nevada.

Bernard Bermudez

Senior VP and Relationship Manager

Bernard Bermudez is Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager at Enterprise Bank & Trust and has nearly 30 years of industry experience. Before joining Enterprise Bank in July 2021, Bernard work for several distinguished banking institutions including Nevada State Bank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo Bank. Active in the community, Bernard serves on various Boards, including Board of Directors for YMCA of Southern Nevada. A Silicon Valley native, Bernard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University.

SBA’s participation or support is not an endorsement of any product, service, or entity

Family Circle Connections

Let’s “strengthen the roots that connect us together.” Participate in family circles to allow MBEs and diverse suppliers opportunities to meet and connect with procurement and supplier diversity professionals.

Participating Corporations

Want to Support this Event and Make an Impact?

WRMSDC deeply appreciates the following companies for their support. Their contributions ensure our ability to advocate for and impact diverse communities. Remember these brands when you choose companies to do business with!

Event Supporters

Make a Difference Supporters

Due to the generosity of our Make a Difference Supporters, this event is FREE for MBEs and diverse businesses.

Premier Members

MBE Platinum Partners

Annual Video Production Supporter

Is there someone you know who could benefit from this event? Invite them to join you at the Business Opportunity Connections Day!

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WRMSDC supports the growth and welfare of minority communities by championing the use of minority-owned businesses in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai‘i. Our parent organization, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, helps over 12,000 minority businesses connect with major Fortune 500 corporations and their buyers every year. Please visit us online at www.wrmsdc.org.

WRMSDC Nevada Office
500 N. Rainbow, Suite 300
Las Vegas, NV 89107

Please contact rose@wrmsdc.org
for questions about this event.

Contact Us
(510) 686-2555