Leading Native American Business Event Continues in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Returning to Las Vegas for the 29th year, this week the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) is hosting its National Reservation Economic Summit (National RES) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. National RES is a multifaceted event from the National Center featuring unparalleled access to respected tribal leaders, federal agency representatives, elected officials, and top CEOs. This year at National RES, the National Center will officially launch its newest endeavor – the Native Edge, an online business development ecosystem designed to give Indian Country 24/7 access to the tools it needs to succeed in business.

"Las Vegas and the Mandalay Bay are great hosts for the leading Native American business event in the country," said National Center President and CEO Gary Davis. "With several new events and sessions, National RES promises to once again connect Indian Country with business opportunities across many different sectors and fields. One thing is clear: the National Center means business for Indian Country."

For the first time this year, National RES will feature an Interactive Access to Capital Fair with top financial institutions, designed to match Native American entrepreneurs with lenders who can fund their business ideas. In addition, on Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration hosted a Buy Native Procurement Expo to connect conference participants with procurement opportunities.

Other topics that will be covered in the general RES sessions include e-commerce, global trade, agriculture, taxation, telecommunications, agriculture, and legislative activity, including implementation of the Buy Indian Act.

Throughout the week, the National Center will officially roll out the components of the Native Edge, its new online business ecosystem. Accessible from a smart phone, tablet, or computer, the Native Edge is a 24/7 online portal designed to give American Indian entrepreneurs access to interactive training sessions, business networking opportunities, an employment and employee database, and an expansive procurement database. The Native Edge can be used not only by Indian entrepreneurs and businesses, but large corporations looking to meet and exceed their minority hiring goals.

"The Native Edge will be a game changer in our efforts to bring business to Indian Country," Davis continued. "Edge users will have 24/7 access to valuable business content and training, and a one-stop-shop for networking, expanding business connections and procurement opportunities, and finding qualified employees. We are thrilled that our vision for the Native Edge is coming to fruition."

To learn more about National RES, please visit www.nativeedge.com.

The National Center will also be honoring several businesses and individuals with annual awards. Award winners include:

• Corporate Advocate of the Year: Comcast NBCUniversal
• American Indian Business of the Year: Gila River Telecommunications
• Volunteer of the Year: Mabel Tsosie, President of Spottedhorse Infosystems, LLC
• Tribal Gaming Visionary: Victor Rocha, Owner and Editor of Pechanga.net
• Tim Wapato Public Advocate of the Year: Lance Gumbs, Executive Director of the Native American Financial Services Association
• Small Business Empowerment Award: Stephen Mills, Founder, President, and CEO of AQIWO, Inc.
• Native Woman Business Owner of the Year: Victoria Vasques, Owner and President of Tribal Tech, LLC
• American Indian Leadership Award: George Tiger, Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma

For more information about RES, please visit www.res.ncaied.org.

About the National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – we have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation. Our motto is: "We Mean Business For Indian Country" as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now… and for generations to come.

CONTACT: Lewis Lowe; 706-302-8404
[email protected]

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SOURCE The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

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http://www.res.ncaied.org