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 <<CityNews Main Send Flowers to India!

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Atlanta

AACC’s Asian Procurement Symposium
Minority Suppliers, Corporates & Govt Buyers Get Together

BY RAVI R. PONANGI 

The symposium planning committee. AACC president Subash Razdan is in the center.

Minority suppliers, represented mainly by Asian American small businesses, and buyers represented by businesses/corporations/Government Agencies came together at the fifth annual Asian Procurement Symposium held at the Georgia Power Auditorium in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 27th. The successful symposium was organized by
the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (AACC).

This year’s symposium focused on the topic, “From Certification to Partnership”. George Lottier of the Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council moderated the symposium. Other panelists included Lisa S. Jones of Cingular Wireless, Michael Cooper of the Georgia Department of Transport, Willie Palmer of Georgia Power, Michelle Johnson of Home Depot, and Rosemary Jones of Turner Broadcasting System. 

The symposium offered information on certification and how small business owners can build partnership and market their products and services to Federal, State, and local government entities and corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Coca-Cola, MARTA, Cingular Wireless, Turner Broadcasting Services (TBS), Bell South, Georgia Power, Georgia Pacific, UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises and other corporations.

The impressive program was launched at noon amidst corporate executives, government entities, leaders of various chambers of commerce and small business owners. Raoul Ilaw, former President of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and a foun ding director of AACC invited Brian Fletcher, vice president of Southern Company Services, and Georgia Power to welcome the participants. Brian expressed his happiness at the success of the event and assured of Georgia Power’s commitment towards minority business opportunities. Brian reiterated the need for frequent such symposiums. 

Welcoming the guests, Subash Razdan, President of AACC observed, “With the emergence of new Asian businesses in Georgia, the AACC hopes to provide the Asian business community with opportunities and resources to grow and expand their business.”

“This year’s symposium focuses on government and the private sector and how that will affect the growth and survival of Asian businesses. The Asian Procurement Symposium has provided an opportunity for business owners to consult one-on-one with government and corporate representatives,” he added. 

Razdan then recognized the officers of AACC and went on to acknowledge Gail Webb, Director of the Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program for her vision and for being the founder of the AACC’s first symposium five years ago.
Special remarks by Jorge Fernandez, vice president of Global Commerce at the Metro chamber of commerce (MACOC) provided inspiring insight into emerging business opportunities between Georgia and Asian countries. 

Fernandez shared experiences from his recent trip to China organized by MACOC and Lani Wong, a founding Director of the ACCC. Claire McLeveighn, Director of International Affairs of the City of Atlanta, brought greetings and a congratulatory message from the Mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin.
Greg Torre, the Division Director, Small Business and Innovation, Georgia Department of Economic Development assured that “The Governor’s Entrepreneur & Small Business Office is committed to offering quality programs for minority entrepreneurs.”

“We are proud to participate with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce to assist and support the growth and strength of the Asian business community in Georgia,” said Mary Ellen McClanahan, Director, Governor’s Entrepreneur and Small Business Office, Georgia Department of Economic Development Dr. Josephine Tan, Co-chair of 2006 Symposium, Founding President of AACC and the Chair for the Governor’s Asian American Commission, who also is a Corporate Manager of Georgia Power, thanked the Planning Committee for a job well done.

The meet included a session on the procurement requirements of both corporations and government agencies. A lively panel, moderated by George Lottier, Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council (MSDC) in the company of prominent and wellrespected executives Willie Palmer (Georgia Power), Michael Cooper (Georgia Department of Transportation), Lisa S. Jones (Cingular Wireless), Rosemary Jones (Turner Broadcasting System), Michelle Johnson (Home Depot) explained the various opportunities available to the small businesses. Officials from Governor’s Entrepreneur and Small Business Office (GE&SBO), Clair Mcleveighn from mayor’s office and Bryan A. Fletcher of Georgia power conveyed greetings to all participants. 

Earlier, Subash Razdan, president of AACC, president of AACC while welcoming the gathering said “the Asian Procurement Symposium provided an opportunity for business owners to consult one-on-one with government and corporate representatives.” More and more business owners are showing interest to attend these annual symposiums. This year’s symposium drawn a record number of registrations, he added. Subash Razdan also recognized past officials of AACC. 

Dr. Josephine Tan, Co-chair of 2006 Symposium, Founding President of AACC and the Chair for the Governor’s Asian American Commission, who also is a Corporate Manager of Georgia Power proposed vote of thanks and thanked the Planning Committee for job well done.

AACC, founded in 1995, is committed to promote international trade and commerce in USA, especially in Georgia. 

AACC ( www.aaccga.org) is an umbrella organization with Korean, Chinese, Indian, Philippines, Japanese, Hong Kong and other Asian Chambers of Commerce; various Fortune 500 corporations; Government Agencies; etc, etc. as its members/supporters. 

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