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One of the nation’s most influential conferences is coming to Seattle for the first time.

The 2024 Minority Business Economic Forum will convene ifrom May 14-16 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Inspired by the World Economic Forum, the conference is the brainchild of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. The goal of the third annual forum is to promote economic equity. 

The forum’s theme, “Be Next, Now,” refers to “being willing to explore, adapt, and take advantage of opportunities that already exist and will emerge.” Speakers with local ties include Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell; Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson; Frank Hodge, Dean of the University of Washington Foster School of Business; Starbucks Chief Procurement Officer Heather Ostis; and Mona Locke, a journalist and former first lady of Washington state.

Other speakers include Frank Sanders, corporate vice president, global supply chain at Intel Corp.; Ruth Umoh, leadership editor at Fortune; and Tanya Skilton, an executive at General Motors. There are many more.

The National Minority Supplier Development Council says certified minority business enterprises account for $482.1 billion in annual U.S. economic output while supporting 1.8 million jobs.

Learn more about the event and register here with the code FORUM2024.