Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council

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2025 OMSDC Annual Awards Gala

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Date: Friday, November 21, 2025 (Evening program + After Party)
Venue: Hilton Cleveland Downtown (capacity ~500)
Host: Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC)

Buy Tickets Nominate for Awards Become a Sponsor What to Wear

Why Attend

This year’s Gala is more than a celebration—it’s a statement. Supplier diversity remains a proven engine for growth and resilience. When buyers, MBEs, community leaders, and policymakers gather in one room, opportunity follows. We’re expanding the tent to 500+ attendees to recognize excellence, build new relationships, and advance inclusive economic growth across Ohio. Be in the room were connections and decisions will happen with Ohio’s top business executives, community leaders, policy makers, and others.

What to Expect

  • Reception & Networking with Ohio’s top decision-makers and executives, including corporate buyers, MBEs, and civic leaders
  • Awards Ceremony honoring outstanding corporations, MBEs, and community partners
  • After Party—music, photos, and connections that carry into Monday
  • Dress Code: Formal / Black-Tie Optional or Upscale Wonderland-Inspired Costume (masks optional). Think elegance first, whimsy second. See our What to Wear Guide.

Award Categories

Corporate Awards

  • Corporation of the Year (by sales class)
  • Buyer of the Year
  • Advocate of the Year

MBE Awards

  • Supplier of the Year (Class I–IV)
  • Emerging Business of the Year
  • Legacy Business of the Year

New in 2025 — Community Awards

  • Community Impact Award
  • Policy & Advocacy Award
  • Youth Entrepreneurship Award

Eligibility: Nominations welcome from OMSDC members, certified MBEs, community partners, chambers, and allied organizations. Self-nominations allowed.
Deadline for Community Partner Awards: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Submit a Nomination

Program Timing (subject to final run-of-show)

  • 5:30 p.m. | Registration & Reception
  • 6:45 p.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • 7:00 p.m. | Dinner & Awards Program
  • 9:15 p.m. | After Party
  • 10:45 p.m. | Closing

Tickets & Tables

General Admission (Corporate/Community): $450
OMSDC Corporate Partner: $400
MBE (OMSDC Certified): $200
MBE (Unaffiliated): $250
Corporate Table (10 seats): $3,600

Sponsorship Opportunties

  • Title Sponsor — $15,000 (“Presented by,” brief welcome remarks, top placement)
  • Award Sponsor — $10,000
  • After Party Sponsor — $7,500
  • Reception Sponsor — $5,000
  • Red Carpet Sponsor — $3,500
  • MBE-Only Market Sponsor — $1,000

Program ads (print): $250 full page • $175 half (horizontal)

To reserve a sponsorship package, and ad, or to customize benefits: Become a Sponsor or email anagel@ohiomsdc.org.

Community Partner Toolkit

We offer rolling promo codes (expire October 31, 2025) that provide discounts off of our General Admission Tickets, as well as co-branded assets for chambers, foundations, nonprofits, and associations.
Example codes: UNITY25, IMPACT25, GROWTH25, EQUITY25, COLLAB25, STRONGER25.
Request your toolkit today: jvandoren@ohiomsdc.org.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Hilton Cleveland Downtown is ADA accessible. Please indicate dietary or accessibility needs during checkout or contact kmanigault@ohiomsdc.org.

FAQs

What’s the dress code?
Formal / Black-Tie Optional or Upscale Wonderland-Inspired Costume. Masks optional. See What to Wear.

Will the event sell out?
We expect a full house. Secure tickets early.

Are donations accepted?
Yes. Make a tax-deductible gift via our Donation Page.

Questions?
Email marketing@ohiomsdc.org or call 614.225.6959.

The 2025 ConnectingOHIO Expo in Columbus

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Step Into Possibility at the 2025 ConnectingOHIO Expo!
Columbus, OH | August 4-6,2025

ConnectingOHIO 2025 is just around the corner, and if you’re serious about accelerating growth, driving deal flow, and shaping the future of Ohio’s economy, these three powerhouse sessions should be on your calendar.

Whether you’re a corporate buyer, a certified MBE, or a community leader invested in inclusive economic development, these are the moments where relationships are built, ideas are sparked, and opportunities are realized.

Can’t Attend the Full Expo? Signature Sessions Are Also Available À La Carte.

Register Now or Learn More About the Agenda

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

Keynote Speakers

  • Luke Fedlam – Nationally recognized attorney and advisor to athletes and entrepreneurs (Day 1)

  • Kala Gibson – NMSDC Board Chair and national champion for economic equity (Day 2)

Why Attend?

  • Meet buyers from 40+ leading companies across healthcare, utilities, construction, finance, and more

  • Connect with MBEs and entrepreneurs building scalable, innovative businesses across Ohio

  • Learn from leaders through panels, pitch competitions, and real conversations—not just presentations

  • Build real partnerships that move our local economy forward

Whether you join us for the full experience or select key sessions, ConnectingOHIO is your gateway to opportunity.

Register Now or Learn More About the Agenda

ConnectingOHIO Promo Video by OhioMSDC

Register Now or Learn More About the Agenda

 

The 2025 Annual Meeting & DEAI ALLiance Summit in Toledo

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We are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 OMSDC Annual Meeting and 4th Annual DEAI ALLiance Summit! This transformative event is where diversity, innovation, and opportunity take center stage. In partnership with the DEAI ALLiance of Northwest Ohio, this year’s meeting will bring together influential leaders, top corporations, and Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to celebrate progress, discuss future strategies, and strengthen our collective commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Join us for an engaging day of thought-provoking sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and a shared vision for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable business environment. Whether you’re looking to connect with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, or learn about the latest trends in diversity and supplier development, this event is the place to be.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this impactful gathering that is shaping the future of business in Ohio and beyond. We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit OhioMSDC.org/AnnualMeeting for more information and to register!

Bidding Opportunity – Meet & Confer (Remote) – Northside Refresh – Facade & Outdoor Patio Projects

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The City of Cincinnati Department of Community & Economic Development’s Meet and Confer will be hosted by NEST on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 at 1 PM, REMOTELY, through Zoom. See below for instructions and the access code to enter the online meeting:

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/9025357209

Meeting ID: 902 535 7209

Dial-in: +13126266799

Click here for the agenda with more details on the construction project that will be presented. The Refresh program consists of external façade and patio improvements at 15 different commercial storefront locations in the Northside business district, to include elements including (but not limited to) storefront glass, painting, masonry tuck pointing, signage, landscaping, and shade structures. Interested bidders are NOT required to bid the entire scope.

There is another attachment containing a summary of the work broken out by address. In addition, the complete set of plans can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w0MM7uqrJmV3gK9vMpzo4vXHBFoNaa7G/view

Bidding Opportunity – Meet & Confer (Remote): Downtown Streetscape – Walnut Street

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The City of Cincinnati Department of Community & Economic Development’s Meet and Confer will be hosted by 3CDC and the Model Group on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 2:00PM, REMOTELY, through Microsoft Teams. You will be able to join the meeting from the comfort of your home or office through a computer/laptop or cell phone.

Click here for the agenda with the construction project of which will be presented.

Click here to view the site location.

See below for instructions and the access code to enter the online meetings.

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 214 700 041 860

Passcode: Cn7XbG

Dial in by phone

+1 513-666-2177,,607734161# United States, Cincinnati

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 607 734 161#