Thank you to all those who participated in the inaugural Small Business Networking Fair and Awards, Incentive and Recognition (AIR) Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Office for Business and Community Economic Development (BCED) at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. On September 30th, over 200 individuals from small businesses, university departments and local community partners in economic development came together for half-a-day of networking and celebration. The primary purpose of the event was to foster business relationships between the university and small businesses, focusing on those that are women and/or minority owned, as well as to recognize those businesses, departments and individuals who have done an exceptional job in furthering this goal.
Over fifty exhibitors- small business, key university departments and business assistance providers- participated in the morning networking portion of the program. A complete list is available here. The day concluded with the AIR Awards Luncheon during which we recognized the individuals, the businesses and the departments that have done an exception job in furthering the University’s mission toward targeted businesses, urban community economic development and small business program. four businesses- two large and two small- that have done an exceptional job in serving the university as a contractor while also furthering the targeted business goals of the organization.
The 2009 “Stellar Award” recipients were:
Mortenson Construction
(large business)
Bald Eagle Erectors
(targeted business)
Adecco Temporary Services
(large business)
Wallace-Carlson Printing
(targeted business)
The 2009 “Corporate Star Award” recipient was:
HealthPartners
The 2009 “Fritz Award” recipient was:
Julie Sweitzer, Director, System Academic Administration
The 2009 “AIR Awards to Departments” were:
Inter Collegiate Athletics
The Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
The Office for Equity and Diversity
Parking and Transportation Services
Thank you to all those who helped to make this day a success! |
