LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2016 – Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council’s (SCMSDC) Supplier of the Year (SOTY) awards luncheon on July 22 at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, located at 701 W. Ocean Blvd., promises to be one of the most exciting yet. In addition to celebrating the exceptional performance of 40 minority business enterprises (MBEs) in their contracts with corporate members, the event features engaging speakers and networking opportunities with who’s who in corporate America.
“This year’s event is shaping up to be one of our biggest and best celebrations,” according to SCMSDC President Virginia Gomez. “We are thrilled to have a near-record number of award nominees, many of whom have been nominated for the first time as well as several previous nominees who have moved into higher revenue award categories.
“Together, these MBEs employ more than 6,800 people, of whom about 4,600 are ethnic minorities, and have gross annual revenues exceeding $765 million. They have demonstrated that they deliver value in their work, are exceptional entrepreneurs and deserving of our recognition,” she adds.
The following MBEs will be honored at the event, title-sponsored by American Honda Motor Co. for the 26th consecutive year (nominators are in parentheses):
CLASS I (less than $1 million annual sales)
• AmmMm Inc. (Comcast NBCUniversal), a distributor headquartered in Rancho Palos Verdes
• Cho Estrada Communications (Southern California Gas Co.), based in Valencia, provides public relations consulting, writing and editorial services
• Genesis Professional Staffing, Inc. (American Honda Motor Co.), a staffing company in Burbank
• Integritas Resources, Inc. (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California), a Los Angeles company specializing in finance and accounting recruitment and staffing
CLASS II ($1 million – $10 million annual sales)
• AB Unlimited (University of Southern California), a Los Angeles-based marketing resource agency focused on event promotional products and event graphics
• Andry Specialty Vehicles Inc. (Toyota) of Torrance specializes in experiential marketing and design fabrication
• CeteraMarketing, LLC (American Honda, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California), based in North Hollywood, is a marketing company focused on promotional products, corporate gifts and web stores
• Clear Cloud Solutions (Southern California Edison), headquartered in Pomona, provides security systems integration, design, installation and consulting
• Décor Interior Design, Inc. (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) is a Los Angeles facility resource company specializing in tenant improvements, design, planning and janitorial and grounds maintenance
• ICE Safety Solutions (Toyota), headquartered in Fremont, specializes in safety training and equipment
• Icon Blue, (American Honda), based in Los Angeles, designs, manufactures, packages and distributes promotional merchandise
• Material Acquisition Services, Inc. (Southern California Gas) of Lake Forest provides industrial material fabrication and distribution services
• OrangePeople (Toyota), headquartered in Irvine, offers enterprise architecture services, IT strategy, business analysis and program/project management services
• Phoenix Engineering Co., Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corp.) of Carson provides temporary and full-time IT, engineering and administrative staffing services
• Roque Development and Investment, Inc. (Southern California Edison) operates out of Monterey Park and provides engineering, drafting and related services
• RICOM (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) offers IT hardware, software and telecom equipment from its Irvine office
• Sun Engineering Services, Inc. (Southern California Gas) offers full-service multi-discipline engineering services from its Westminster base
• SuperbTech, Inc. (The Walt Disney Company) of Culver City is a staffing firm specializing in contract and permanent placement
• Think Ink (Toyota) is headquartered in Brea and provides printing, promotional products and design services
• Vobecky Enterprises Inc. (Southern California Gas) offers construction and nationwide trucking services from its Glendora base
CLASS III ($10 million – $50 million annual sales)
• P.R., Inc. (Southern California Edison) of Thousand Oaks offers temporary employment and staffing services
• Area51-ESG, Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation) is an Irvine-based electronic components distributor
• Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers (Southern California Edison) is an engineering and construction management services firm headquartered in Clovis
• Clipper Corporation (UPS), based in Carson, specializes in restaurant supplies, small wares and uniforms
• DSS Staffing, Inc. (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.) provides comprehensive employment services from its Brea headquarters
• Graycon Inc. (The Walt Disney Company), based in City of Industry, is an HVAC and plumbing contractor
• Growth Development Marketing, Inc. (Southern California Gas Company) is a Chino-based provider of construction equipment, tools and materials
• Intertrend Communications (Toyota) is a full-service advertising, public relations and media company based in Long Beach
• IW Group, Inc. (Toyota) of West Hollywood offers advertising production, media planning/buying, public relations and event coordination services
• Johnson-Peltier Electric (The Walt Disney Company) is a Santa Fe Springs-based electrical contractor
• MARRS Services, Inc. (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) offers a full range of engineering, management and environmental services from its Fullerton base
• Osceola Consulting (Southern California Gas) is located in Tiburon and offers management consulting and technology services with an emphasis on the utilities industry
• PRAVA Construction Services, Inc. (The Walt Disney Company) is a general contractor and construction management firm in Escondido
• RMI International Inc. (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.) is a security services firm based in Paramount
• Stage3 Agency (Toyota) provides marketing services focusing on strategy, technology and creative from its Torrance office
CLASS IV (annual sales greater than $50 million)
• Agile Sourcing Partners (Southern California Gas), based in Corona, provides project management and equipment distribution services for utilities
• Burrell Communications Group LLC (Toyota) of Chicago focuses on transcultural marketing communications
• Hal Hays Construction Inc. (Southern California Edison) specializes in construction services from its Riverside headquarters
• SodexoMAGIC (Toyota) is a food and facilities management firm based in Beverly Hills
• Walton Isaacson (Toyota) of Los Angeles offers corporate marketing and branding services
The luncheon begins at 11 a.m. with a VIP reception immediately preceding it. Tickets are available to the VIP reception only with ad, table and sponsorship purchases. Before the luncheon, there will also be a general reception featuring a nominee art gallery and live music. In keeping with tradition, a dessert networking opportunity will follow the luncheon.
Nikki Barua, founder and CEO of BeyondCurious, a Los Angeles-based firm that specializes in transforming brands by creating mobile and digital experiences, will be one of the guest speakers at the luncheon. Last year, Barua’s firm received both the regional and national SOTY award.
Established by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), corporate members nominate certified MBEs in good standing with the council for a SOTY award. Nominees are judged by an award selection committee comprised of SCMSDC corporate members and evaluated on: demonstrated growth and development; employment and job creation; consistent high quality operations, products/services and business performance; procurement/purchasing spend with MBEs; mentoring and other forms of assistance to MBEs; regional council involvement, and more.
One winner is selected in each class category, with local winners receiving business scholarships and special recognition and competing in the regional and national competition for the NMSDC SOTY award.
To register or learn more information about sponsorship opportunities, go to www.scmsdc.org. For information or sponsorship opportunities, contact events@scmsdc.org.