Wednesday, July 26

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4:00 - 6 PM Welcome Reception

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Thursday, July 27

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8:30 - 10:00 AM Registration check-in / Networking Breakfast 

 

10:00 - 10:30 AM Opening Welcome MC 

Welcome remarks by Alvin-o Williams, President, SRMSDC

Welcome by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin

 

10:30 - 11:00 AM Session 1
Economic Drivers and Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

Joseph McCabe - President & CEO

AutoForecast Solutions

 

11:00 - 11:30 AM Session 2
Economic Drivers and Opportunities in the Mobility Industry

Dr. Steven Jones - Interim Executive Director

Alabama Transportation Institute at the University of Alabama

 

11:30 – 11:45 AM Break

 

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Session 3
Economic Drivers and Opportunities in the Transportation Industry

Katie Westley - Manager of Galactic Unite

Virgin Galactic

 

12:15 - 12:45 PM Session 4
Economic Drivers and Opportunities in the Logistics and Shipping Industry

Travis Spruill - Vice President of Procurement and Properties

Shipt

 

12:45 – 1:45 PM Lunch and Keynote Address

Charlotte Shaw - Executive Director & CEO

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority

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1:45 - 2:30 PM Suppliers Perspective

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2:30 - 3:15 PM View from the Top (Fireside Chat)

Travis Spruill - Vice President, Procurement & Properties, Shipt

Aaron Limonthas - Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Shipt

Bob Dickerson - Executive Director, Birmingham Business Resource Center

3:15 - 3:30 PM Closing Remarks 

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3:30 - 5:00 PM Half Past 6 Entertainment

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Primary Audience:  

The audience will consist of SRMSDC staff, corporate members, diverse businesses – ethnic minority and women-owned businesses – government officials, nonprofit organizations, and non-SRMSDC corporate members interested in learning more about supply chain equity. 
 

Objective:  

SRMSDC, headquartered in New Orleans, is our stakeholders' important outreach and economic development partner.  SRMSDC helps identify MBEs who have the potential to participate in corporate supply chains which continue to create parity in diverse communities. The primary objective is to provide information to MBEs so they can prepare and manage future business opportunities and create an ecosystem for MBEs and corporations to do business with each other.  

 

Attire: 

The recommended attire for all events is business casual—branded apparel when appropriate.

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Expected Weather Forecast:   

The average temperature in Birmingham, Alabama, is approximately 75 to 90 degrees during this time.  It is usually very humid, and Birmingham is near the Gulf and the Atlantic.  Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.

About the SRSMDC:  

The Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council (SRMSDC) provides advocacy and business development services to minority-owned business enterprises.  We strive to reduce the wealth gap between historically underrepresented ethnic minorities and non-ethnic minorities by providing education, training, and business advocacy for traditionally underrepresented ethnic minority businesses looking to expand their businesses and with large buying organizations interested in diversifying their supply chain to reduce waste, minimize cost and expand their buying behavior perspectives.  We are one of 23 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).  SRMSDC services Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. Mr. Alvin-o Williams is the President.