Nomination deadline is July 15 for awards recognizing Wisconsin’s minority, woman and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses

MADISON, WI. May 20, 2019 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is seeking nominations for the 2019 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Awards, which recognize outstanding Wisconsin businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans.

The nomination deadline is Monday, July 15. The online nomination form and more details can be found at MarketplaceWisconsin.com.

Small and large businesses will each be honored in two categories: the Outstanding Business Award, which recognizes established businesses that have demonstrated the capacity to grow over the past five years and have plans for continued expansion, and the Rising Star Award, which honors businesses established after 2015 that have demonstrated strong growth potential.

Winners will be honored at MARKETPLACE 2019, the Governor’s Conference on Diverse Business Development, at the Potawatomi Hotel and Conference Center in Milwaukee. The event is scheduled for October 23-24.

Each award finalist receives four complimentary full conference passes (a $360 value) to MARKETPLACE 2019, plus discounts if they choose to exhibit in the Expo Hall or become an event sponsor. Finalists also will benefit from company profiles in the conference program booklet, on the conference website and in event press releases, increasing the company’s visibility and potentially leading to new contracting opportunities.

The MARKETPLACE 2019 awards are open to Wisconsin-based companies that have been certified as a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) or service-disabled veteran-owned business (SDVB) by the State of Wisconsin or equivalent programs listed on the nomination form. Companies that have not yet been certified will be connected with the agencies providing these certifications. Companies that have won these awards in the past five years are not eligible for a 2019 award, but runners-up are strongly encouraged to apply.

MARKETPLACE 2019 is the premier business capacity-building conference of the year for minority, women and veteran business entrepreneurs looking to do business with federal, state and local agencies as well as corporations.

For 38 years, the conference has provided opportunities for businesses to meet with potential buyers, identify funding sources, connect with business assistance resources and network with other businesses.

To learn more about the conference, visit MarketplaceWisconsin.com.