Historic Win for the Atlanta-based Non-Profit; Timely Launch Pad for Organization's 35th Anniversary Celebration in 2010

ATLANTA, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), Georgia's leader in certifying, developing and connecting ethnic-minority business enterprises (MBE) and corporate entities, was named 'Council of the Year' during the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) 2009 Conference and Business Opportunity Fair, held in New Orleans on Oct. 25-28. GMSDC was selected from a mix of nominated regional councils from across the nation.

"I am honored and humbled by this recognition," said Stacey J. Key, president & CEO of GMSDC. "I have a front row seat - everyday - to the remarkable achievements taking place by way of our staff, Board, corporate partners and MBEs. The greatest reward is having those efforts recognized on a national level and coming home with tangible proof that we are making a difference," Key added.

The Council of the Year Award is one of many awards given out during the largest national conference and trade fair held for professionals and organizations in supplier diversity and minority business development. Council of the Year nominees participate in a rigorous selection process steered by NMSDC, and are evaluated based on their outstanding leadership and achievement in their representing region during the prior calendar year (2008). While the final tabulating is proprietary, GMSDC demonstrated its impact and effectiveness through the volume and quality of program offerings; its leading MBE certification initiatives; economic value creation generated through its corporate partners' minority spend and the MBE to MBE spend of its certified MBE partners; as well as its overall, seamless integration with the priorities of NMSDC as its parent organization.

"As we prepare for a year-long celebration in 2010 to observe our 35th anniversary, we've been reflecting on historical achievements generated through our great constituency," said Dr. Rengen Li, Global Supplier Diversity Manager for The Coca-Cola Company and GMSDC Chairman of the Board. "This win not only validates our organizational sense of self, but it 'ups the ante' for the role we will play in shaping minority supplier development in Georgia moving ahead."

About GMSDC

The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council is a not-for-profit organization that fosters value-driven partnerships that may otherwise not be possible between corporate entities, ethnic-minority owned businesses and government entities in the state of Georgia. Visit www.gmsdc.org.

    CONTACT:
    Alexandria Taylor
    Taylor Communications Group,
    404.493.2391

SOURCE Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council

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http://www.gmsdc.org