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Posted: 3/31/06

Workshop Offers Chance to Increase Business, Profits

 

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How about an opportunity to take your business to  a new market, increase your market share and profits...with a State-wide mandate that daily  seeks ways to do business with you?

Sound like a dream?  Welcome to the opportunities possible when local and regional businesses become certified by the State as Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB).

HUBs are for-profit corporations in which 51 percent of ownership is by economically disadvantaged persons (including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, women, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and those who have suffered the effects of discriminatory practices.)

In order to qualify, businesses must be State HUB Certified.

On Thursday, April 6, Texas A&M International University and a host of other State agencies and corporate groups will present "A Competitive Edge:  Getting State HUB Certified:  A Certification Workshop and Opportunity Roundtable," from 1 - 5 p.m. at the University's Student Center. 

The workshop is free of change and open to the public. 

It will be divided into a Certification Workshop from 1-2:30 p.m. in Student Center 230 and Roundtable Discussions with Businesses from 3-5 p.m. in Student Center 231.  Space at the Roundtable Discussions is limited and should be reserved by calling 956.326.2350 or by e-mailing lrea@tamiu.edu

Laura Rea, TAMIU's director of purchasing, said the event is designed to offer interested businesses throughout the area a chance to learn about HUB certification,  and  gauge the diversity of state agencies that seek HUB vendors for services and products.

"I think local and regional businesses will be very excited by the opportunity that becoming HUB-certified can bring.  I don't think many people realize that the State has offices, agenices and divisions in virtually every city or county and all are in need of services and products.  Laredo and all area businesses should share handsomely in this opportunity," Rea explained.

She noted that TAMIU alone has the highest utilization of HUB businesses in The Texas A&M University System and is eager to work with others who would like to do business with TAMIU or other state agencies.

"This program works and we are happy to support interest and participation in it," she explained.

"A Competitive Edge" is sponsored by TAMIU, the University of Texas System, including UT-Pan Am, UT-San Antonio, UT Health Science Center-San Antonio, UT-Brownsville and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, TAMU-Corpus Christi, Texas State Technical College, University of Houston-Victoria and The Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Small Business Development Corporation and Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC). The Universities that are sponsors will also participate in the Roundtable Discussions.

For more information, contact Rea at 956.326.2350 or by e-mailing lrea@tamiu.edu. Information is also available on the University's Web site.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) just completed its 35th anniversary as Laredo's premier University.  This Spring, the 300-acre campus enrolled 4,380 students from 30 different countries.

The University offers 78 undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees, including a Ph.D. in International Business.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu