Conway Area, AR News

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2012 Minority Enterprise Development awards. These awards celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and the individuals and organizations committed to advancing minority business enterprise.

The Chamber of Commerce established the MED committee to foster growth and sustainability of minority businesses and as a way to recognize minority businesses and their supporters.

The awards will be presented at the MED awards gala, which will take place Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Corliss Williamson, head men’s basketball coach at UCA, will be the keynote speaker.

There are five categories of MED awards:

• The Access to Capital award is presented to the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the financial community by providing working or investment capital to minority businesses.
• The Advocate for Opportunity award is presented to the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated significant accomplishments in educating and advocating for minority business enterprises.
• The Minority of the Year for Economic Development award is presented to the individual, organization or business whose practices have had a significant impact on community growth and development.
• The Outstanding Minority Business of the Year award is presented to the business whose practices have had a significant impact on the community.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to the individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his or her life. 

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the awards now through Friday, Sept. 21. Click here to submit nominations. For questions about the awards or the call for nominations, contact Lindsay Wygal, vice president of member services, at 501-932-5403.