WS Chronicle

Later this month, more than 100 business owners and entrepreneurs from Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point will come together for a weekend of networking and learning during the fifth annual Triad Minority and Women’s Business Expo.  

The annual event hosted by Maximum Enterprises Inc. was created to increase opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, while also providing an opportunity to gain new clients and customers. Reginald McCaskill, founder and CEO of Maximum Enterprises, said what sets the expo apart from similar events is the variety of opportunities and services made available for entrepreneurs, business owners, and consumers. 

While the expo has seen steady growth over the years, this year’s event is expected to be bigger than ever. The festivities begin  at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24 with a day of free workshops, seminars, guest speakers, food tastings, and presentations at the Anderson Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. The fun and presentations end at 2 p.m.

The main event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug.  25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Benton Convention Center. Along with the vendors attendees can enjoy an artist showcase and have the opportunity to meet this year’s special guests: actors Angela Robinson – who portrays Veronica Harrington in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera “The Have and Have Nots” – and Dorien Wilson, who is best known for his role as Professor Stanley Oglevee  on the UPN sitcom “The Parkers.”

“There’s going to be a variety of opportunities and vendors from everywhere”, said McCaskill during an interview with The Chronicle last week. “It is a huge event, and we’re really excited about having it here at the Benton Convention Center.”

During a press conference on Thursday, Aug.  2, honorary co-chairs Sharon Hightower, Greensboro City Council member, and Mark Owens, president and CEO of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, said they were excited to be a part of the event. Dr. L’Tanya Joy Bailey and Dr. Robert J. Brown will also serve as co-chairs.

Brown, founder, president & CEO of B&C International, a global business management consulting firm headquartered in High Point, also will be one of two high-profile presenters on Friday. The other one is Dr. George Fraser, founder and CEO of FraserNet Inc., is a Cleveland, Ohio-based author, entrepreneur and speaker.

Hightower said when McCaskill asked her to be a co-chair she happily accepted the invitation. She said what she enjoys most about the expo is the collaboration between the three major cities that make-up the Piedmont Triad. 

 “It’s important for us to be able to share information with each other but it’s also important that we work with each other. Because we also know as we promote minority-owned businesses, they hire within the local community and that promotes economic development.” Hightower said. 

“… The way we create good stable, safe communities is by investing in those small businesses because they turn around and invest back in us. We know that a dollar made here turns over here.” 

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines and other city officials praised McCaskill and his staff for creating a platform to connect business owners with resources to help them be successful. 

Joines said, “… The City of Winston-Salem stands behind the development and growth of minority-owned businesses and the event Reggie is putting on here continues to help showcase minority businesses and women in business here in the Triad.” 

City Council members Denise “DD” Adams and James Taylor, who is the publisher of The Chronicle, also attended the press conference. 

To wrap up the press conference, McCaskill invited more than a dozen local business owners and entrepreneurs who will be featured at the expo to join him at the podium. He said from humble beginnings with only 25 businesses in 2013, to having more than 100 participating in this year’s event makes a major statement. 

For more information on the Triad Minority & Women’s Business Expo call (336) 448-4177 or visit www.triadminoritybusinessexpo.com.