2024 TAAACC Annual Conference

Sep 18

2024 TAAACC Annual Conference

Business leaders, government agencies and Chamber members from across our state and nation will convene to develop action plans and solutions to address issues faced by our state’s over 350,000 Black-owned businesses.

Not only will you hear from successful business owners, elected officials, and industry leaders, this is your opportunity to add your voice to the collective, expand your network, and be strengthened by your peers in your journey towards success.

Session topics include: Access to Capital, Scaling Your Business, Certification, Technology, Legislative Policies, and so much more!


Houston Marriott Sugar Land
16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 View on map
Sep 18, 2024 09:00am – Sep 20, 2024 05:00pm
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$50.00 – $500.00

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

9:00 AM TAAACC Golf Tee Time
Quail Valley Golf Club, Missouri City, TX
6:00 PM Chairman’s Reception & Networker
Houston Marriott Sugar Land

Thursday, September 19, 2024

8:00 AM Registration & Breakfast
8:30 AM Opening Session (Main Stage)
Opening address
Chairman, Matt Houston and President, Charles O’Neal
9:00 AM Relationships Matter
Discover effective strategies for Chambers to develop and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships
and partnerships with corporate sponsors. You will learn how these connections can drive positive impact
and support local business growth

Alisa Joseph, USBC and Corporate Partners: Lendistry, Verizon (LISC), and Catrina Craft

9:30 AM State of Black Business/Economic Forecast
Economist William Michael. Cunningham gives his overview of the past year’s economic occurrences and lends his insight to what we can expect in the year to come.
William M. Cunningham, Creative Investment Research
10:30 AM Legislative Update
This main stage panel, led by TXLBC Chairman Rep. Ron Reynolds, will allow members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus to discuss some of the hot button bills from this past 88th Legislative Session including the Anti DEI bill passed. This interactive workshop gives our registrants an opportunity to ask questions and our call to action for the 89th Legislative Session.
Charles O’Neal, Rep. Ron Reynolds, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Rep. Jolanda Jones, Rep. Harold Dutton
11:00 AM Group Photo
Sugar Land City Hall steps
(Directly across the street from Houston Marriott Sugar Land)

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM TAAACC Counseling Corner (appointment)

12:00 PM Inaugural OTSL Leadership Luncheon w/ Albert Black & Tre’ Black

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Workshop series

33

Let’s Get Busy: Business 101

You said you wanted to be in Business, here’s what you need to do!

An interactive workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners. Gain practical tips and foundational knowledge for starting and running a successful business.

Bridgett Gagné, Byron Bailey, Carol Guess

34

Crafting Effective Policy

Join our interactive workshop to create actionable items for a powerful legislative agenda.

This workshop will be a follow up to create action items from the morning Legislative Update Session

Rep. Ron Reynolds

35

Funding Your Future:

Conversation with traditional lenders

Join the conversation to discuss the future of traditional banking and lending. Engage with experts sharing insights for the changing financial landscape. Discover practical steps to strengthen relationships with traditional lenders.

Regions Bank, Unity Bank

24 TAAACC SAVE THE DATE _3_

AI Accelerator:

Empowering the Future of Business with AI

Join our workshop to explore using AI to advance your small business. Discover practical applications, implementation strategies, and actionable insights for leveraging AI technologies.

Ronnie Russell, President & CEO Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce


2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Workshop series

33

Positioning your business to scale:

Working on your business, not IN your business

Join us for an immersive workshop on preparing your business for scaling through mergers and acquisitions. Our expert speakers will provide practical insights on strategic planning, financial preparation, and operational readiness to position your business for successful M&A opportunities.

Antwayne Ford, President & CEO Enlightened, Inc., Obi Chukwumah, SVP, Community Relationship Manager, Veritex

34

Chamber Advocacy & Management

Remaining Mission Focused

Our role as leading advocates for our local Black owned businesses, Chamber relevancy and impact in our community, Membership engagement, Revenue generation and Financial oversight.

This session is for Chamber Presidents and Board Representatives only

Jim Wyatt, Matt Houston

35

Funding Your Future:

Empowering Communities: A Conversation with CDFIs

Join us for an engaging discussion with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) on their role in driving economic empowerment in underserved communities. This session will explore the impact of CDFIs in creating access to capital and supporting small businesses. Gain valuable insights into how collaborative efforts with CDFIs can drive positive change and inclusive prosperity in our communities.

Derric Hicks, Texas Mezzanine Fund LiftFund

24 TAAACC SAVE THE DATE _3_

Wealth Generation:

An Alternative approach to securing the bag

This seminar, hosted by NY Life, will equip Black business owners with the financial tools and strategies to succeed both as an individual and as a business owner. Topics will include estate planning basics and methods of business succession and Protection Foundation for business owners to cover self / family, business assets and employees.

Imari Marcel, NY Life

Thursday (cont’d)

3:20 PM – 3:50 PM Closing Session Verizon Small Business Digital Ready (Main Stage)
3:50 PM – 3:50 PM Closing Remarks
Matthew L. Houston, TAAACC Chairman
6:00 PM – Reception
Houston Marriott Sugar Land Conference Lobby
7:00 PM – TAAACC Annual Awards Dinner (Main Stage)
9:00 PM – Mixer
TBA

Friday, September 20, 2024

8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Opening Session (Main Stage)
9:00AM – 2:00PM TAAACC Counseling Corner (appointment)
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Workshop series 1 (3 concurrent breakout sessions)

MORNING WORKSHOPS


10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Workshop series

33

What’s the secret sauce?

Unlocking the secrets to state contracting!

This workshop will feature panelists from various Texas State Agencies. Our panel will delve into crucial topics such as the impacts on HUB programs resulting from Anti-DEI legislation, best practices to increase response rates for bids on contracting opportunities, the availability of mentor-protégé programs and more!

Texas State Agencies, HUB

34

Chamber Governance:

Leading your Chamber the right way!

This workshop provides chamber leaders with essential knowledge and skills for effective governance and sustainable growth. Participants will gain insights into best practices for board management and strategic leadership. This crucial conversation will elevate your chamber’s governance for long-term success.

Matt Houston Jim Wyatt, Rachel Pate

35

Building Stronger Communities Together:

A Dialogue Between Black Businesses and City Council Members

This panel featuring members of The Texas Association of Black City Council Members will discuss the vital role of collaboration between Council Members and businesses to promote economic growth, equity, and community development.

Texas Association of Black City Council Members

11:00 AM – Telling Our Story

Conversation with Texas Black Press

Mollie Belt, Sonny Messiah Jiles, Karen Carter Richards, Charles O’Neal
12:00 PM Luncheon – Black Women in Business
The Real Daddy-Daughter Dance: Teaching Black Business New Steps

Join us for a dynamic conversation with second-generation Black women entrepreneurs who have transformed family businesses into industry powerhouses. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of taking the reins from their fathers, building their own legacies, while creating innovative paths for future generations.

Brandi Harleaux, Carol Guess, Courtney Johnson Rose, Kimberly Ratcliff, Christen O’Neal

2:00 PM Closing Remarks

3:00 PM – TAAACC Board Meeting (Closed Meeting)

VENUE

Our host hotel for all conference sessions will be the Houston Marriott Sugar Land property.

Located in the heart of Sugar Land Town Square, the Houston Marriott Sugar Land is surrounded by several restaurants, shopping, and outdoor events for you to enjoy! The hotel has offered an unbelievable rate of $159/plus tax per night!

Group rate is available beginning Tuesday, September 17th – Saturday, September 21st. Last day to book this rate will be AUGUST 31, 2024!

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

If you are interested in learning more about TAAACC and how your partnership can help impact Black businesses in Texas, click the Sponsorship Opportunities link below.

EXHIBITOR/VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES

Are you interested in showcasing your business/organization at our 2024 Annual TAAACC Conference!

Click the link below and complete the application for booth space. You must receive approval in order to secure and confirm your business/organizations slot.

Exhibitor rate for the conference is $500. Once approved, you will be emailed a direct link to submit payment for your organization’s slot.

We look forward to working with you!