SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, BISHOP VASHTI MCKENZIE, ED GORDON, ROLAND MARTIN, R. DONAHUE PEEBLES CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

( BLACK PR WIRE) Baltimore, Maryland, (February 2, 2009)--On Thursday, February 19, 2009 and Friday, February 20, 2009, Visionary Marketing Group (VMG) presents The 10th Annual Minority Business Summit during the 23rd Black Engineer of the year Awards Weekend. The Minority Business Summit affords small and minority businesses the opportunity to participate in networking, free workshops, and resource building. All Summit events take place at the New Baltimore Hilton located across from historic Camden Yards.

“In today’s economy, more than ever, it is critical for small, minority, and women owned businesses to understand the new rules for business in 2009 and the tactics and strategies required for success,” commented LaRian Finney, President and CEO of VMG, the event’s producer. “The Minority Business Summit provides a platform for networking, information, strategies, and tactics led by top business minds and corporate leaders.”

Thursday represents networking and deal making at its highest level. Featured highlights include a Power Reception sponsored by the City of Baltimore, the Diversity Trailblazer Awards, a Business Town Hall Meeting led by leaders in business, education and politics with a keynote address from R. Donahue Peebles, President of The Peebles Corporation (the country’s largest African American owned real estate development company).The Summit is designed to provide access to Fortune 500 and government executives who can directly assist with information and insights for growing small and minority businesses.

Friday provides a unique opportunity for small and minority enterprises to gain valuable tools and resources to expand their businesses via free workshops. Featured highlights include a continental breakfast and vendor showcase, workshops, The Women of Influence Breakfast featuring CNN personality Soledad O’Brien and Bishop Vashti McKenzie, The Men of Influence Luncheon featuring Media personality Ed Gordon and CNN personality Roland Martin, and a legislative session for business owners.

The Men and Women of Influence Awards recognize significant contributions in the fields of advocacy, business, education and politics. The 2009 recipients include; Sharon R. Pinder and Dr. Levi Watkins (advocacy), Gloria Mayfield Banks and Larry Jennings (business), Dr. Anne Emery and Professor Michael Higginbotham (education), and State Senator Catherine Pugh and Congressman Elijah Cummings (politics). International business leader, Donald V. Watkins, will also receive special recognition.

Sponsors for the 10th Annual Minority Business Summit include VMG, The Presidents’ Roundtable (PRT), Career Communications Group (CCG), M&T Bank, Metro Transit Administration (MTA), Baltimore City Community College (BCCC), Aerotek, The Harbor Bank of Maryland, and the City of Baltimore. Media partners include The AFRO- American Newspaper, The Baltimore Times, The Daily Record, The Baltimore Business Journal, and Radio One of Baltimore, and the Power Magazine.

For additional information, contact Visionary Marketing Group, Inc. at 410.235.4427 ext. 204 or log onto www.minoritybusinesssummit.com. 

Visionary Marketing Group to present Diversity Trailblazer Awards, Women of Influence Awards and Men of Influence Awards

# # # # #