Greetings from Florida’s MEDWeek Co-Chair & Master of Ceremonies

Dear Business Associates and Guests:

Welcome to Florida’s 38th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference, a.k.a. MEDWeek, presented by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Export and CARES Act Business Centers – Miami, Florida and coordinated by M. Gill & Associates, Inc. This is also our first-ever virtual MEDWeek event!

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only sparked unprecedented global health crises, but it has also created extraordinary global economic, trade and investment crises. Global trade has been disrupted by simultaneous supply, demand, and trade cost shocks, resulting in the sharpest and deepest trade contraction in a generation. Micro/small/ minority/women and veteran-owned businesses have been the hardest-hit by the pandemic. Additionally, small businesses usually do not possess sufficient resources, especially financial and managerial, and they are not prepared for such long-term disruptions, compared to large enterprises.

This year’s conference theme is “A World of Opportunities.” We have assembled a notable and inspiring group of experts to provide relevant information, best practices, and practical tools in three key areas to help small businesses succeed during this pandemic: (a) access to capital, (b) access to contracts, and (c) access to global markets. This mirrors the “Triple A” resource initiative to which we have all grown accustomed, and as provided with great passion and expertise by the MBDA Export and CARES Act Business Centers, funded by the MBDA and Operated by M. Gill & Associates, itself a Miami, Florida-based M/WBE.

I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to our event sponsors, partners, vendors, MEDWeek planning committee members, the staff and management of FIU’s Kovens Conference Center, and to our fearless leader - Ms. Marie Gill and her exceptional and tireless team. I am certain that attendees will gain invaluable information and new insights from this year’s event.

I look forward to returning to the “next normal” and to our in-person conference next year. Until then, please be safe – avoid closed spaces, avoid crowded spaces and avoid close contact situations. Please wear a face covering, wash your hands frequently and encourage social distancing!

Respectfully,

Desmond Alufohai U. Desmond Alufohai, CMP, CGBP Co-Chair Florida’s 38th Annual MEDWeek Conference Miami, Florida