Ethnic Business Conference is Wednesday at Salt Palace

According to organizers, the aim of the second annual Utah Ethnic Business Conference is to bring together members of the state's minority community in hopes of providing more access and networking opportunities to all of the businesses in the state.

This year's event, sponsored by the Governor's Office of Ethnic Affairs, will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10, with the theme "Success on the Rise."

The conference will offer various workshops, including professional training, financing, how to access and apply for loans, and how to develop relationships with other businesses. In addition, the conference will give minority business people information regarding yet untapped, but potentially lucrative markets.

"We're going to talk about the new industry of alternative energy and the opportunities that are available for people of color in that industry," said Michael Styles, director of the state office of black affairs and event organizer. "One of the things we want to concentrate on is cross-collaboration. Meaning that we want businesses of color to start partnering with each other instead of self-segregating," he added.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is scheduled to provide opening remarks for the daylong conference. Styles said the governor is focusing on economic prosperity for all Utah businesses with particular interest in the ethnic community sharing in that prosperity.

Last year, about 250 businesses participated in the conference. This year, Styles expects more than 325 businesses to be involved.

Jerome Ringo, president of the National Wilderness Federation, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. Also, former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate and prominent local entrepreneur Molonai Hola will be honored for his contributions to the business community and for being one of the most successful minority businessmen in the state of Utah.