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.