Florida MEDWeek Legacy Awards Gala honored 40 Minority Businesses, Advocates and Strategic Partners

(Black PR Wire) The 40th edition of the premier event for small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in Florida was a roaring success. Under the theme "A continuing Legacy of Resilience Innovation and Growth," M. Gill & Associates and its MBDA programs hosted Florida’s 40th  Annual MEDWeek Business Matchmaker Conference & Legacy Awards Gala. The conference took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Airport Hotel & Convention Center in Miami, Florida on Friday and Saturday, October 21-22, 2022.

"I am honored and truly thankful to be the host of this important event along with many partners who believe in our mission of supporting minority businesses throughout the State of Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands," said Marie Gill, Founder & CEO of M. Gill & Associates, Inc. and Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, Export Center, and Infrastructure Center. "Our aim this year is to get MBEs “shovel-ready” to take advantage of the infrastructure opportunities anticipated from the US Department of Transportation and other federal and state agencies.”

For over 40 years, Florida's MEDWeek conference has successfully equip Minority Business Enterprises with the right tools, and connected them with business and resource partners to foster their development and growth. This year's MEDWeek highlighted financial investments and the contracting opportunities made possible under the new INFRASTRUCTURE & JOBS Act.

An inspiring video message from the MBDA’s newly appointed Under Secretary of Commerce, Donald R. Cravins, Jr.  lauded the operations of M. Gill & Associates for serving over 20,000 MBEs and facilitating over $6 billion in contracts and financing over the past 22 years.  He gave encouragement and hope for a brighter future with the MBDA being elevated to permanency in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and being front and center of the decision-making in Washington, DC. Click HERE to view video message.

On Friday, more than 400 attendees enjoyed a wide range of informative and thought-provoking sessions and networking opportunities. Representatives from various cities across Florida and States throughout the U.S. heard from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Electrification Coalition, Florida Department of Transportation, Blink Network, ChargePoint , Federal Aviation Administration  FSB Agency, BankUnited, Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, State of Florida, Small Business Investment Capital (SSBIC), EXIM Bank, Enterprise Florida, among others. The discussion included hot topics on Electronic Vehicle Charging Station and other Infrastructure opportunities, Business loans, grants and direct investments, and technical assistance available from the MBDA Programs to help businesses prepare and submit proposals, navigate the marketplace, and engage in international trade & exports.

Florida's 40th Annual  MEDWeek Conference wrapped up Saturday with a glam "Legacy Awards Gala," an expose' of Business Success & Elegance, which saw 40 honorees being recognized for their contributions as clients, advocates, strategic partners and community volunteers. Visit www.medweekflorida.org  to read the full list of  the 40 MEDWeek Legacy 2022 Honorees.

About M. Gill & Associates

Gill & Associates, Inc. is a management and economic development consulting firm that was founded by Jamaican entrepreneur, Marie R. Gill, 32 years ago. Based in Miami with a special focus on Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean, the company has become a global brand, with partnerships throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, and various African countries. A 22-year veteran of Federal Contracting and Minority Business Development, M. Gill operates the Florida MBDA Export Center, the Miami MBDA Business Center, and a newly awarded MBDA INFRASTRUCTURE CENTER. In return for operating the City of Miami's Small Business Center, the City of Miami is a cost-share strategic partner, providing office space and marketing support for the MBDA Programs. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce provides funding for these programs. All of its MBDA-funded programs offer technical assistance, managerial coaching, capacity building, entrepreneurship training, and export development services, free of cost to assist small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses to scale, increase revenues and investments, create and retain jobs, and expand into new and global markets.

For more information on M. Gill & Associates, its MBDA Programs and Florida's 40th Annual MEDWeek  Business Matchmaker Conference & Legacy Awards Gala, please call 305-576-7888 or 786-515-0670; email admin@miamimbdacenter.com  or visit www.medweekflorida.org  or www.mbdaexport.com   or www.mgillonline.com