Every successful business partnership begins with the right introduction. It can then expand exponentially through strategic business networks — strengthened with the right connections and relationships. During economically challenging times, these vital linkages can be worth their weight in gold, as businesses try to refocus and reposition their products and services.
For Asian American suppliers, an economic downturn could be even more challenging as they may lack the essential tools necessary to be competitive in the marketplace. Part of our mission at the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation is to address such needs. Since 1984, we have been working assiduously to help our constituents grow their business by educating, training and nurturing them. Our year-round initiatives also provide the venues and opportunities for viable business partnerships to prosper.
On May 27 to 29, for our 23rd anniversary, we present our flagship event, the CelebrAsian Business Opportunity Conference ’08, at the Hilton Hotel in Washington. PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi is our conference chair.
CelebrAsian is the largest conference of its kind in the United States, connecting hundreds of top-caliber Asian American suppliers and small business owners annually with buyers from Fortune 500 corporations, the federal government and the small/minority business community, through specially designed, prescheduled, one-on-one matchmaking meetings, summits on strategies, workshops and networking sessions.
This year’s theme, “Business Beyond Boundaries: Here and Abroad,” will address the challenges faced by small and minority enterprises who feel the impact of onshore and offshore outsourcing activities, among other issues essential to business growth.
As today’s global marketplace gains more depth and breadth, the world of supplier diversity becomes increasingly complex. Our conference will provide Asian American suppliers with a road map to effectively navigate this arena. We will help them add value to their products and services, and give them the opportunity to tap into a $95 billion market made available by Fortune 500 corporations and the federal government — an annual and necessary expenditure to fulfill their supply diversity goals.
To provide conference participants with timely insider perspectives on growth opportunities through onshore and offshore ventures, we will present the International CEO Forum featuring ASIMCO Chairman and CEO Jack Perkowski, best-selling author of Managing the Dragon: How I’m Building a Billion-Dollar Business in China.
We will also hold an event at the White House on May 28 to introduce the business leaders from our “50 Fastest-Growing Asian American Businesses” program — yet another indicator that through innovation, hard work and ingenuity, Asian Americans are at the forefront as engines of growth in our national economy.
The spotlight will also be placed on the success and outstanding achievements of Asian American businesses through several special events, including the USPAACC-EF/Wells Fargo Asian Business Leadership Awards, Excellence Awards Gala Dinner, and the Business Leaders and Scholarship Luncheon.
Please join us in the nation’s capital!