Registration Form


L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge, LA
May 15 – 18, 2023

About the Conference

Information about the event:

The 18th Annual Business and Procurement Conference provides an opportunity for small business communities to network with larger companies and government agencies aimed at growing their businesses. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension (SUAREC) has partnered with the MBDA to host this year’s conference along with Southern University Law Center, and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at Southern University.

The small business community, especially minority business enterprises, woman-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) certified firms, HUBZone certified firms, and Veteran-Owned (including Service-Disabled Veteran owned) is invited to attend this event. The 2023 Conference will be unique in that many of the sessions and contracting opportunities made available are a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The $1.2 trillion appropriated in this bill is available to small business through procurement opportunities in federal, state, local, and even private businesses. Businesses don’t want to miss this opportunity to market their services and products to the various buyers. Nor do they want to miss this opportunity to network with other businesses in their industries for potential partnerships and other collaborations.

Why You Should Attend

Match-making

You’ll have an opportunity to meet with representatives from various agencies – local, state, federal, and private – to sell your products and services.


Certifications

We’ll have staff from the small business community to assist you with completing your applications for the various certifications, e.g. 8A, DBE, EBR Fair Share, Hudson


Networking

You’ll have an opportunity to network with other business owners, industry leaders, and community leaders.


Training

With more than 30 sessions being offered, you’ll gain valuable skills and insights to grow your business.

Session Topics

Learning paths created to accommodate your business needs
General Farmers Small and Micro Businesses Large MBE’s
Using Chambers of Commerce to Grow your Business Growing Micro-greens Beginner’s Session on Small Business Funding Listening Session: Policy Changes Needed in Lending
Financing Government Contracts Resources for Farmers Digital Marketing Ads Legal Lens on Partnerships, Mergers, Acquisitions , & Joint Venture Agreements
Federal Contract Readiness Overview of Contracting Assistance for Farmers Developing Systems to Scale Your Business Alternative Lending, Venture Capital, Factoring, and Equipment Loans
Taking Care of Yourself while Taking Care of Business Cover Crops and other Efficiencies to Maximize Farm Profits Library Resources to Grow Your Business Pricing for Competition & Market Research
Impact of Personal Credit on Business Credit SUSTA- Farmers and other Exporters LED's Resources to Grow Your Small Business Using the Resources at the LSBDCs to Grow Your Business
Doing Business with the Federal Government Export Readiness
Doing Business with State of Louisiana How to Develop Products
Doing Business with Port of New Orleans
Doing Business with BREC

Agenda

Agenda

May 15, 2023 09:00 am

Exhibitor Registration & Set Up

May 15, 2023 10:00 am

Conference Attendee Registration

May 15, 2023 12:00 pm

Conference Kickoff Luncheon - Greetings & Opening Remarks Ballroom B

Katara A. Williams, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement and External Relations 

 

Edward ‘Ted’ James, Region 6 Administrator, 

U.S. Small Business Administration 

 

Welcome & Greetings  

Orlando F.  McMeans, Ph.D. Chancellor-Dean 

Southern University Ag Center  

 

Charletta “Charlie” Fortson, J.D., MBA, MSIT 

Assistant Professor & Director of the Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

 

John Pierre, J.D. 

Chancellor 

Southern University Law Center 

 

Michael Stubblefield, Ph.D.  Vice Chancellor  

Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives 

Southern University and A&M College  

 

Cynthia “Cindy” Carrier, Program Manager 

Louisiana Apex Accelerator 

 

Leslie Chambers, J.D.  

Office of Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome 

 

Special Presentation Honoring 

Eual Hall and Rinaldi Jacobs, Sr. For Excellence In Service  

 

 

May 15, 2023 12:00 pm

Conference Kickoff Luncheon - Keynote Speech Ballroom B

Krystal J. Brumfield, J.D., LL.M. 

Chief Acquisition Officer 

Associate Administrator 

Office of Government-wide Policy 

May 15, 2023 12:00 pm

Conference Kickoff Luncheon - Closing Remarks Ballroom B

Krystal J. Brumfield, J.D., LL.M. 

Chief Acquisition Officer 

Associate Administrator 

Office of Government-wide Policy 

May 15, 2023 01:00 pm

International Trade for Farmers, Food Manufacturers, & Other Agribusinesses Chatsworth Room

Danielle Viguerie Coco, Southern United States Trade Association 

 

May 15, 2023 01:00 pm

Financing Government Contracts Ballroom A

Jo Ann Lawrence 

Deputy District Director  

Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration 

May 15, 2023 01:00 pm

Advanced Teaming Agreements: Joint Ventures & Flow Down Clauses Ballroom C

Charles Rice, JD 

Community Liaison at the Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

May 15, 2023 02:00 pm

Get Certified with City of Baton Rouge Ballroom A

Get Certified with City of Baton Rouge/ Parish of East Baton Rouge  

The City of Baton Rouge  

May 15, 2023 03:00 pm

Leveraging SBA’s Resources for Business Expansion Chatsworth

Jo Ann Lawrence 

Deputy District Director  

Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration 

May 15, 2023 03:00 pm

Alternative Lending: Understanding Factoring, Term Loans, Equipment Financing and Alternative Start Up Funding

David Lee    

Business Development Officer 

Evergreen Working Capital  

 

Tyra Banks, MPA    

Director of COVID Business Response Programs 

Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency  

May 15, 2023 06:00 pm

Business Plan Bootcamp Chatsworth Room

Business Plan Bootcam

Tyra Banks, MPA   Director of COVID Business Response Programs

Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

May 15, 2023 06:00 pm

How to Apply for LED Certifications

Tatiana Bruce, Senior Program Manager

Louisiana Economic Development

May 16, 2023 08:00 am

Conference Attendee Registration

May 16, 2023 09:00 am

Breakfast Keynote Presentation

May 16, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Welcome and Greetings Ballroom B

JoAnn Lawrence Deputy District Director  

Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration 

 

Edward “Ted” James Region 6 Administrator 

U.S. Small Business Administration 

 

May 16, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Keynote Speech Ballroom B

Terry G. Simmons, Jr. 

Founder & President  

Orange Strategy 

May 16, 2023 10:00 am

Making Something Out of Nothing: Six Figure Business Secrets Ballroom C

Irene Coates, Vizion Salon 

Dezmion Barrow, Premier Landscapes 

Chisolu Isiadinso, Forever A Dreamher 

Derrick Smith, Luxury Landscape

Zonda Barnes, BodiFX 

 

 

May 16, 2023 10:00 am

Getting Your MBE Certification Ballroom A

Mark Samuels, Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council  

Alvin-O Williams, Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council  

 

https://vepimg.b8cdn.com/uploads/vjfnew/9054/uploads/vjf/content/misc/1684239156MBE Designations Presentation UPDATED.pptx

 

May 16, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Opening Remarks Ballroom B

Charletta “Charlie” Fortson, JD, MBA, MSIT 

Assistant Professor & Director of the Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

Presentation by The Folgers Coffee Company  

Words of Wisdom   Raymond A. Jetson, MetroMorphosis  

May 16, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Keynote Speech Ballroom B

Craig Stevens, Genesis 360 

May 16, 2023 01:00 pm

Small Business Tax Write Off’s: Get lenders to approve you with these tax & financial strategies Ballroom C

DeWayne Williams, Mac Enterprise Consulting 

J. Gaudet, Founder of Rizen, Inc.

How To Make Your Money Disappear Through Tax_05152023.pptx

May 16, 2023 01:00 pm

Sustainable Agriculture: Looking to the Past for a Better Future Executive Board Room

Stephanie Elwood, Growing Healthy Coordinator 

Southern University Ag Center – Cooperative Extension Program 

Sustainable Ag Updated.pptx

May 16, 2023 03:00 pm

GSA Schedules Presentation: Your Guide to the Multiple Award Schedules & Federal Supply Schedules Boardroom

May 16, 2023 03:00 pm

Government Contracting 101: How to Do Business with the Federal Government Ballroom A

JoAnn Lawrence, Small Business Administration 

 

May 16, 2023 03:00 pm

Life Insurance & Succession Planning for Business Owners Ballroom C

Peter Mars, Prudential  

May 16, 2023 06:00 pm

Networking Reception Ballroom B

Opening Remarks  

Ted James, US Small Business Administration  

Kenyatta Sparks, SJB Group  

 

May 17, 2023 08:00 am

Conference Attendee Registration 

May 17, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Welcome and Greetings Ballroom B

 Stephanie R. Hartman, Director  

Small Business Services, Louisiana Economic Development 

Carla Holland Bryan Greenwood, State Director 

Louisiana Small Business Development Center 

 

Ada Womack- Bell 

Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University  

 

Opening Keynote 

Janea Jamison Regional Advocate 

Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy 

May 17, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Keynote Speech Ballroom B

Janea Jamison  

Regional Advocate 

Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy 

 

May 17, 2023 10:00 am

Lender Panel Ballroom A 

Various Financial Institutions Including: 

b1 Foundation  

Pelican State Credit Union  

Hope Credit Union 

Chase Bank  

May 17, 2023 11:00 am

All About the State Small Business Credit Initiative Ballroom C 

Kelly A Raney, Louisiana Economic Development   

May 17, 2023 11:00 am

Power Session: SBA Certifications Ballroom A 

File for SBA certifications with live technical assistance. Including: 

  • SAM Registration  
  • Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran Certification 
  • HUB Zone  
  • Woman-Owned Small Business Status 

May 17, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Greetings & Opening Remarks Ballroom B

Krystle J. Allen, PhD, Southern University Ag Center 

May 17, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Keynote Speech Ballroom B

Shalaya T. Morissette (she/her)  

Chief, Minority Business and Workforce Division 

Office of Economic Impact and Diversity 

U.S. Department of Energy 

 

May 17, 2023 01:00 pm

Doing Business with NASA Boardroom

Kay Doane, Small Business Specialist, NASA 

Doing Business with NASA SSC May 17 2023.pptx

May 17, 2023 01:00 pm

Resources to Accelerate Business Growth Ballroom A

Christopher Cassagne, Louisiana Economic Development 

May 17, 2023 01:00 pm

Cover Crops & Maximizing Farming Profit Chatsworth Room

Burnell Muse, Program Trainer, Louisiana Small Farms  

May 17, 2023 01:00 pm

Calling All Disaster Recovery & Infrastructure Contractors Ballroom C 

East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness  

Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness 

FEMA 

 

May 17, 2023 03:00 pm

Bonding & Bonding Assistance Programs Ballroom A

Camile Campbell, Travis Lewis, Jill Tucker, Kendra Hardnett 

May 17, 2023 03:00 pm

Digital Marketing Basics: Search Engine Optimization & Online Reputation Chatsworth Room

Enid Jesse  

HIBU 

May 17, 2023 03:00 pm

Financial Strategies for Small Business Owners Ballroom C

May 17, 2023 03:00 pm

Take Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Business Ballroom C

Gayle Young 

Laughter in Your Belly 

May 17, 2023 03:00 pm

Doing Business on the Coast with the Help of CTAC Boardroom

Laci Melancon 

Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) 

May 17, 2023 06:00 pm

Shopify Workshop: How to Sell Online with Shopify Ballroom A

Orhan McMillan 

 

May 17, 2023 06:00 pm

Bonding Bootcamp Ballroom B Chatsworth

Travis Lewis, Travis Lewis Insurance Group                   

 

May 17, 2023 06:00 pm

QuickBooks Set Up Ballroom C

Angela Bruns, Southern University Financial READ Program     

 

May 18, 2023 08:00 am

Conference Attendee Registration

May 18, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Welcome and Greetings Ballroom B

De’Shoin York, Ph.D. 

Vice-Chancellor, Extension and Outreach  

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension- Cooperative Extension Program 

 

Charletta “Charlie” Fortson, JD, MBA, MSIT 

Assistant Professor & Director of the Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency  

 

Ken Naquin, Louisiana Associated General Contractors  

May 18, 2023 09:00 am

General Session - Keynote Ballroom B

Keynote: Whey McGrew 

Director of Business Programs, US Department of Agriculture 

May 18, 2023 10:00 am

Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill: Louisiana Impact Ballroom A

LaKesha Hart, Louisiana Division of Administration 

May 18, 2023 10:00 am

Best Practices for Financial Statements: A Fireside Chat With CPAs Ballroom C

Hosted by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metro Baton Rouge Chapter   

May 18, 2023 11:00 am

Commercial Insurance Ballroom A

Travis Lewis  

Gallagher Insurance  

May 18, 2023 11:00 am

Hiring People & Paying Them Legally: Considerations for General Hiring and Federal Contracts (Davis Bacon, Wage Requirements etc) Ballroom C

LaKeisha Robichaux,  

Chief of Minds  

May 18, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Keynote Speech

Gayle Young, J.D.  

Laughter in Your Belly 

 

  

May 18, 2023 12:00 pm

General Session - Opening Remarks

Tyra Banks, MPA 

Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency  

May 18, 2023 01:00 pm

Doing Business with the City of Baton Rouge Ballroom A

Paul Narcisse, 

 Interim Purchasing Director  

May 18, 2023 01:00 pm

Using Chambers of Commerce to Grow your Business Ballroom C

North Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce  

Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce 

Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  

May 18, 2023 01:00 pm

Offering Benefits & Keeping Talent: Low-Cost Strategies Chatsworth Room

Peter Mars, Prudential  

Tranell Montague, Toco  

June Lyle, Primerica  

Olivette Lewis, Aflac 

2023 CK Short Presentation PPT_AV_FEB.pptx

May 18, 2023 03:00 pm

How to Write a Proposal Ballroom A

Colleen Broussard-Perry, 

 Federal Government Contracting Specialist  

APEX Accelerators, Formerly Louisiana PTAC 

May 18, 2023 03:00 pm

Dazzle with Digital Marketing: Win Clients and Grow Your Business with Digital Marketing Strategies Ballroom C

Tyra Banks,  MPA

Coronavirus Response Program Director 

May 18, 2023 03:00 pm

Employee Retention Tax Credit Chatsworth Room

Lakeisha Robichaux, CEO 

Chief of Minds  

May 18, 2023 06:00 pm

Power Session: Business Grant Writing Class

Tyra Banks, MPA Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

May 18, 2023 08:00 pm

Conference Adjourned

Sponsors  

Louisiana Associated General Contractors 

U.S. Department of Energy  

Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency 

Louisiana Economic Development 

Hope Credit Union 

Jacobs Engineering 

Louisiana State University  

Entergy 

SJB Group DBE Supportive Services 

Terry Simmons & Company 

Orange Strategy   

 

 

Sponsors

Frequently Asked questions


L’auberge Hotel & Casino
777 L’Auberge Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
The closest airport is Ryan Airport (BTR).
Please see the following link for more info.
Once you complete registration, you will receive an email with the hotel registration information.

Contact Us

SUBMIT

For Inquiries, please contact:
info@LouisianaMBDAcenter.com