Last week you may have seen that I ventured out to Minneapolis to learn more about how our community can get involved with Super Bowl 52.
Now you might wonder why would that matter to us at the chamber and our community? Not only is the Super Bowl a day for football fans, this entire event hosts numerous opportunities for minority businesses to work directly with the NFL and showcase their craft or service. It gives us a chance to “get on the map” in a HUGE way.
Business Connect, the National Football League’s Super Bowl and special event supplier diversity program is focused on creating contract and business development opportunities for certified minority-, woman-, veteran-, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender-owned qualified, diverse businesses and is looking for the following business types:
Audio Visual • Barricades • Carpet/Flooring • Catering/Food & Beverage • Courier Services • De-icing • Décor • Employment Agencies • Entertainment • Equipment Rental • Event Production • Fencing • Florists • Furniture • Generators • Gifts & Promotions • Golf Carts • Hardware Supplies • Linens • Office Supplies • Painters • Photography • Port-O-Lets • Printing & Graphics • Security • Snow Removal • Tenting • Trailers • Transportation • Vans • Video • Waste Removal
If you are a business providing those goods or services, here are the additional eligibility requirements:
- Be Headquartered in the state of Minnesota (with offices within the 13 County Twin Cities area)
- Be 51% owned by a minority, woman, veteran, or LGBT-owned business individual and certified as one of the following:
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Business Enterprise (NGLCC)
- Have been in operation for three (3) or more years (i.e. registered with the state)
- Provide goods or services requested by this program (see SBLII BC’s 56+ scopes of work)
- Must be in good standing and eligible to do business in the state of Minnesota
If you meet these requirements, you must provide proof and initiate an application for certification/verification. Please refer to the below website to gather more information on how you can apply for this certification.
http://www.mnsuperbowl.com/get-involved/business-connect
All vendor registrations & certifications MUST BE completed by 03/31/17. Registration does not guarantee your participation in the event as a vendor – but it allows you the opportunity to potentially bid on the opportunities available.
Why would you go through this process? This puts you in direct contact with key influential people from the NFL. It doesn’t give you an absolute “in” with them, but it definitely gives you an “edge”. The program will host leadership and training opportunities, multiple networking events, and if chosen to take on a job, gives you and your business direct access to one of the largest stages& events in the world – the Super Bowl.
Are you ready for this? This is the time for you to take a look in the mirror, think about where you see your business as it is now and where you want it to be in the future. If you think you have what it takes, let’s get you there.
Please reach out to me, Mollie Terlinden, if you have additional questions about how to proceed. Time is of essence – and if you have interest in taking this further, you must act QUICKLY.
All my best,
Mollie
320-234-0789
