Opportunity Conference to Help Businesses Reach Potential

Philadelphia will host U.S Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and other government, private-sector, and non-profit leaders at the 2006 Opportunity Conference on October 17, 2006.  The full-day conference is designed to inform small-business owners, non-profit, faith-based organization, and community leaders about the many opportunities available to these growing segments of the 21st century workforce.  The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is one of many national, regional, and local partners in bringing this free national conference to Philadelphia.

The event highlights the Department of Labor’s outreach efforts to inform underserved communities about local, state and federal grant, contracting and partnership opportunities.  In addition, the conference serves the small-business needs of minority-owned firms and entrepreneurs as they seek to expand their financial resources, grow their businesses, and explore new business opportunities.

“For community organizations, we hope this conference provides the networking, skills enhancement and training opportunities that will help individuals and organizations grow and succeed.”

Helping Asian-Pacific, Hispanic and African Americans reach their full potential continues to be one of Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s top priorities.  The Department of Labor has launched a number of initiatives to assist these growing communities.  They include enhancing the opportunity for small and minority-owned businesses to contract with the department; eliminating the unfair bureaucratic barriers that prevent faith-based and community organizations from bidding on grants and contracting opportunities; and giving immigrant communities access to Department of Labor worker protection materials by publishing them in a variety of languages including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.  The department has also reached out to Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help the African American community learn about new opportunities in high-growth sectors.

“I hope the organizations attending this conference today will help the department spread the good news to their members about the tremendous array of resources available to help them seek new opportunities in the private and government sectors.”

To register for the Opportunity Conference, or for more information, visit the Web site at www.OpportunityConference.gov.