# Event Details - **Event Name**: 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 09:00 am – Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 05:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Join us in 2026 for the 8th Annual MWBEES Growth Summit—boost your biz and connect live!About this EventJoin Us at the 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT!Get ready for an amazing in-person experience where ideas spark and connections grow. This event is all about collaboration, innovation, and taking your ventures to the next level. Whether you're here to network, learn, or just have a great time, the MWBEES 2026 Growth Summit has got you covered. Don't miss out on the energy and excitement – see you there!Opening🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:30 AMOpening General SessionPresentation of the “Empowerment Catalyst AwardHost: Margaret(Meg)O’Connell, Dir. Emer., Allyn Family Fdn.Info: Presentation of the “Empowerment Catalyst Award,” to Margaret (Meg) O’Connell, Director Emeritus, Allyn Family Foundation for “economic empowerment, systemic change, and lasting partnerships.”Fireside Chat Host: he Honorable Mayor Sharon F. Owens, City of Syracuse, NYPlenary Session Rooms I🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AMPlenary Session Rooms I Get Funding Ready; Connect with Local Funding Programs and PeopleInfo: With the rapid increase of online lenders, business owners have many more funding options available to them, but some are predatory and come at a high cost. This session will review what local funding options are available to entrepreneurs and how to secure capital to start or grow a business. Led by Sherri Falck of Pursuit, this session will break down the current lending landscape and how to find a funder and lending program that is right for you. Walk away with how to prepare for funding so when you’re in need of capital, you have the network and knowledge to access it.Building a Brand That Creates Business Growth: Aligning Marketing, Messaging, Info: In today’s crowded marketplace, organizations can no longer rely on marketing alone to drive sustainable growth. This session explores how strategic branding, clear messaging, and integrated marketing work together to increase visibility, build trust, strengthen customer relationships, and create measurable business results. Attendees will learn practical strategies for aligning their brand mission with their marketing efforts, creating authentic connections with their audiences, and positioning their organizations for long-term success and influence.Crisis Management & Business ContinuityInfo: This plenary provides minority business owners with actionable frameworks to navigate disruptions. Attendees will learn to build resilient, adaptable businesses by establishing clear crisis communication strategies, identifying critical business dependencies, and protecting their operations against unexpected emergencies—securing long-term stability and growth.Plenary Session Rooms II🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PMPlenary Session Rooms IIHow Certification Opens Doors to Contracts and CapitalInfo: Certification is just the beginning. This session moves beyond the application process to explore how entrepreneurs can actively leverage their certified status to access procurement opportunities, corporate supplier diversity programs, and funding that requires certification as a qualifier. Panelists will include certification specialists and business owners who have used their certification to open doors, grow revenue, and build lasting partnerships.Should I Use AI in My Business?Build the AI toolkit your business needsInfo: AI is in every business conversation right now, but few owners are being shown how it can actually pay off: saving hours, cutting costs, and helping smaller businesses compete with much larger ones. Led by Malini Krishna of Pursuit, AI-certified through Chief and the AI-First Academy, this session shows you how to choose the right AI tools. Protect your business data with privacy guardrails and put AI to work without putting your business at risk. Walk away with an AI Action Plan you can start using in your business this week.Luncheon🕑: 01:15 PM - 03:00 PMLuncheonKeynoteHost: John Hope Bryant, Founder/CEO, Operation HopeInfo: John Hope Bryant – recognized by Forbes as one of the 250 Greatest Self-Made Americans on the occasion of our nation’s 250th anniversary – is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and inclusive economics, and the founder and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures. Bryant has built a career transforming economic systems for the underserved. He is a 2026 New York Times Bestselling Author of “Capitalism For All: Inclusive Economics and the Future Proofing Of America.”Supplier Diversity Expo🕑: 03:30 PM - 05:00 PMSupplier Diversity Meet-n-Greet Expo - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/syracuse/8th-annual-mwbees-2026-the-growth-summit/100001993804761714 - **Event Categories**: business, exhibitions, art, literary-art - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 8 hours - Location: Marriott Syracuse Downtown - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 28.52, max: 81.88, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Syracuse - **state**: NY - **country**: United States - **location**: Marriott Syracuse Downtown - **lat**: 43.0447494 - **long**: -76.151517 - **full address**: Marriott Syracuse Downtown, 100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/4a6a746029873c559274f201836c5104f1e789160ee8d04048e098cb2a937555-rimg-w1200-h600-dc12141a-gmir.jpg?v=1784620938 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT being held? - **A:** 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT takes place on Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 09:00 am to Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 05:00 pm at Marriott Syracuse Downtown, 100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT? - **A:** 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT is organized by Center of Hope International, Inc. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Syracuse, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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