New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council Holds Business Opportunity Expo 2011 in Manhattan on June 16

Allan Houston, NBA All-Star, is Keynote Speaker Promoting Assisting Young Entrepreneurs with Shot at Business

NEW YORK, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Allan Houston, Assistant General Manager of the New York Knicks and NBA All-Star, who also created a non-profit program that assists young entrepreneurs in developing businesses, will be the keynote speaker at the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council's Business Opportunity Expo 2011 on Thursday, June 16 at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway in New York City.

Houston's Legacy Foundation holds a Business Education and Development Program that offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for entrepreneurial advancement for young adults. Aspiring entrepreneurs receive six months of education, training, mentoring and incubation support to launch their business.

Winning in business is the theme of The Council's 2011 Business Opportunity Expo. R.A.C.E.: Research, Analyze, Collaborate, and Execute – The Roadmap for SUCCESS, promotes pursuing victory in business.  R.A.C.E. pushes power techniques in business coaching, leadership, strategies, competition, team support and creative methods on winning new business opportunities.  

"Competition is essential in maintaining a successful business and so are collaborations," stated Lynda Ireland, president & CEO of The Council. "Allan Houston is an example. He has taken his winning attitude as successful executive, entrepreneur and athlete and is now mentoring aspiring business owners."  

The Council's 2011 Business Opportunity Expo is considered New York City's top conference on outsourcing to minority businesses. At the Expo, attendees have a full day packed with workshops, seminars, a breakfast session, an awards luncheon for Mission Accomplished minority-owned businesses, an elegant evening reception and the popular trade fair, featuring networking with some of America's top corporations and minority businesses.

The Expo's corporate co-chair is Kent Walker, regional director Indirect Procurement, Johnson & Johnson and the MBE co-chair is Alberto Ruiz, president, Urban Comprehensive Imaging Studio. Expo sponsors include: Bank of New York Mellon, Con Edison, Interpublic Group, MasterCard Worldwide, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Prudential.

The Council, an award-winning affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, certifies African American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Native-American-owned businesses to be eligible to compete for major corporate, non-profit and government contracts. The Council, a National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliate, has approximately 200 corporate members and 1,300 certified minority businesses. Its jurisdiction spans from Albany, New York to Trenton, New Jersey.

SOURCE New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council