- Registration now open, local business owners encouraged to attend -

(Black PR Wire) BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) announces its highly esteemed keynote speakers and Signature Sponsor at the 7th Annual Broward & Beyond Business Conference (BBBC 2024). The free, one-day conference takes place from 8AM to 5PM on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. The theme is "Mindset, Methods, Make It Happen!"  

Key Speakers:

• Dannie Augustin & Genese Augustin: multi-franchisee owners
• Kasey Brown: digital media influencer (1M+) dominating social media and reinventing brands
• Arminda "Mindy" Figueroa, Latin2Latin Marketing: award-winning multicultural communications
• Evie Johnson: internationally acclaimed trichologist, celebrity hair and beauty industry icon
• Shalaya Morissette, Chief, Minority Business & Workforce Division, U.S. Department of Energy
• Gail Rudolph, best-selling author of "Power Up Power Down, How to Reclaim Control and Make Every Situation a Win/Win"
• Ricky Wade, McDonald's multi-franchisee owner

Sponsors include: 

• Signature Sponsor - Florida Blue
• Open Plenary Sponsor - MAP Broward
• Luncheon Sponsor - HNTB Corporation
• Breakfast Sponsor - Superior Hospitality
• Parking Sponsor - Florida Power and Light
• Photobooth Sponsor - Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
• Get Certified Information Station Community Partner - CareerSource Broward
• Marketing Lab Sponsor - Integrity Consult Solutions, LLC 
• Volunteer Gear Sponsor - Broward County Transit

Local, regional and national businesses, non-profits and government agencies are encouraged to attend to learn and network with industry experts and peers. Event attendees will have access to vendors in the exhibitor hall, along with informative panels about government procurement, technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), funding, marketing, and the creative industries. There will also be marketing and "Get Certified" lab stations highlighting the benefits of County procurement. A networking mixer will take place following the conference.

"We are pleased to partner with Signature Sponsor Florida Blue as we gather an impressive array of keynote speakers and panelists," said OESBD Director Sandy-Michael E. McDonald. "Each will provide unique inspiration to small businesses encouraging them to tap into the powerful resources available through Broward County and government procurement."  

Historically, 750-850 people have attended the annual event which supports the goals of the Broward County Commissioners to advance the reach of the County's numerous business operations in and beyond the region. For more information visit the Business and Beyond website or call 954-357-6400. Registration is also available via the website.

About Economic and Small Business Development

The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is responsible for promoting economic development and supporting Broward County's small businesses. Areas of focus include workforce development, business expansion and retention, small business growth, business development and outreach, international trade and export readiness, entrepreneurial development, and promoting Broward County as a film destination. Services are delivered by the agency and through partnerships with federal, state, local, and private sector organizations. The Office promotes equal access to Broward County's procurement opportunities for small business enterprises in local and federal small business programs and helps position small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities while growing their businesses in and beyond Broward. For more information call 954-357-6400 or visit our website. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube