Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Sandy-Michael McDonald
Department: Economic and Small Business Development
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE “Broward & Beyond Business Conference” (“BBBC”), tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, as a County-sponsored event; authorize the Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) to solicit co-sponsorships greater than $30,000 for BBBC; and authorize the County Administrator to execute co-sponsorship and other related sponsorship or marketing agreements for BBBC at no cost to County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and to take all other administrative and budgetary actions associated therewith.
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with the Broward County Advantage Marketing Program, Board approval is required to seek co-sponsorships more than $30,000.
What Action Accomplishes
Recognizes the conference as an annual County-sponsored event, authorizes trained OESBD staff to solicit co-sponsorships to support the BBBC event, and authorizes the County Administrator to execute sponsorship agreements related to BBBC.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s goal of “Ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward's lower and middle class.”
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners developed the County Business Enterprise (CBE) Program to increase participation of small businesses in County projects. The Business Opportunity Act was amended in May 2018 to establish a minimum goal of at least 25% CBE participation for all eligible (non-DBE/ACDBE/SBE) County procurement contracts. This event will support Broward’s small businesses, encourage certification, and provide an opportunity to learn how to do business with the County.
At its last iteration on Friday, May 3, 2024, the County hosted its most well-attended BBBC event with about 984 attendees and 70 exhibitors and sponsors. As OESBD considers the 8th annual conference on May 9, 2025, we acknowledge the instrumental role of the County in creating a signature event that provides important resources to small businesses. Our objective remains focused on further development of the small business community through ongoing support, education, and access to important resources. Additionally, the proposed BBBC2025 allows for targeted outreach to build capacity and inform startups, entrepreneurs, and existing small businesses - certified and not certified - about the small business participation goals and procurement opportunities available through County projects and beyond, and how they may grow and develop their business. Further, BBBC2025 will feature other capacity-building and intra-agency opportunities, initiatives, and programs, including MAP Broward, and projects related to doing business with the County. As South Florida’s leading conference for small businesses, BBBC continues to establish standards that OESBD is eager to maintain and positively enhance in alignment with the County Commission vision, mission, values, and goals.
If approved, this item will confirm BBBC 2025 as a County-sponsored event; and provide OESBD with the required Board authorization needed to pursue co-sponsorships of more than $30,000 for BBBC 2025; and authorize the County Administrator to execute co-sponsorship and marketing agreements for BBBC 2025, at no cost to the County and subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and take necessary actions to facilitate these co-sponsorships.
The event will be free of charge to all attendees.
Source of Additional Information
Maribel Feliciano, OESBD Assistant Director, 954-357-6761
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No impact.