DIR Attends MBOF2012

DIR recently exhibited at the 2012 Midwest Business Opportunity Fair here in Minneapolis. Being headquartered in a major city has lots of "pros"---being able to network during large, local events is one. We connected with many clients, and hopefully made inroads to bring a few more on board! 

A highlight was the luncheon with noted speakers: MN 5th District Representative Keith Ellison, and former president of West Publishing Co. and current President of Key Investment, Vance K. Opperman. Both drove home the message of increasing business by increasing spend with diverse suppliers ... it simply is good business. 

DIR Board member, John Taylor (JT) of Cargill (DIR client), accepted the Corporation of the Year award. In this in this article by Sam Black of the Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal, Taylor states:

"Cargill, which had revenue of $133 billion in fiscal 2012, is a global company and strives to have a supplier base that reflects the markets where it does business. We recognize that we are a stronger company when we tap into that diversity.” 

Taylor also gives a lot of credit to Cargill’s CEO Gregory Page and Chief Procurement Officer Julian Chase for supporting the company’s diversity initiatives.

Taylor reinforced two key points of a thriving Supplier Diversity program which DIR hears during every seminar or event we go to:

• do business where your corporation does business
• enlist the CEO/Presidents of your company in your Supplier Diversity investment 

DIR next exhibits at the 2012 NMSDC in Denver. We look forward to networking on a national scale there.