Annual Broward & Beyond Business Conference was a record breaking success

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – More than 730 attendees comprised of startup, nonprofit, established and international business professionals, 50 speakers, 45 exhibitors and international representatives from Haiti and Canada participated in the day-long Broward & Beyond Business Conference, held in celebration of National Small Business Week and World Trade Month. 

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) proudly presented this premier event hosting attendees representing eight states (California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania) plus the District of Columbia and three countries (Canada, Great Britain and Haiti). The robust slate of workshops highlighted five educational tracks: Startup, Human Services / Nonprofit, Creative / Cultural, Growth and International. 

Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen provided welcome remarks along with OESBD Director Sandy-Michael E. McDonald. Vice Mayor Dale Holness, Commissioner Dr. Barbara Sharief and Deputy County Administrator Monica Cepero also addressed attendees at the keynote luncheon featuring Beverly Kuykendall, President of Government Business, at Miramar’s American Medical Depot. The keynote luncheon included a presentation of appreciation awards to the mentor firms of the County’s Team UP Broward Mentor-Protégé Pilot Program. 

“This year’s Broward & Beyond Conference lived up to its ‘Level Up Your Business’ theme,” said McDonald, OESBD Director. “Our attendees were treated to a jam-packed agenda with multiple diverse speakers providing tools and tips that entrepreneurs and business owners can adapt to their own enterprises for successful outcomes.” 

2019 conference sponsors included: Luncheon – FPL and The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship; and Breakfast and Break – the City of Fort Lauderdale, Gracious Care Recovery Center, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and T Mobile. 

The annual Broward & Beyond Business Conference supports the vision of the Broward County Commissioners of a vibrant economy with a diverse, skilled workforce, in a County offering unique advantages that attract all types of businesses to create equitable, countywide prosperity and the value of ensuring economic opportunities for all people and businesses in Broward.