PA GAMING BOARD TO HOLD PHILADELPHIA DIVERSITY FORUM

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 1 – If you have a women- or minority-owned business and you’d like to find out how to have a stake in the new gaming industry that will be coming to Pennsylvania, state Sen. Connie Williams suggests that you consider attending the Gaming Board’s Diversity Forum.

 The first of two forums is planned for Thursday Sept. 29^th in the Fox-Gittis Room of the Liacouras Center on the Temple University campus in Philadelphia. The day-long event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:15 p.m. The schedule includes sessions on gaming in Pennsylvania, how Pennsylvania is working to promote diversity in the emerging gaming industry, information on enterprise opportunities in the industry and a session on preparing to do business with the state, including business certification requirements.

 “The forum is a great opportunity to get to know more about the gaming industry and to learn how your business can become involved,” Williams said. “It is also a nod to the current administration’s efforts to promote women- and minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.”

 “For the past two years, I have been a member of the Governor’s Committee on Minority and Women Business Opportunities. The committee has met on many occasions to discuss ways to ensure that women and minorities have a seat at the state’s table when it comes to contracts,” Williams said. “This forum is going to fully explain the process and provide businesses the opportunity to become involved on the ground floor of this new industry.”

 People interested in attending should visit the Pennsylvania Gaming Board Web site at http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/index.HTM and download a registration form. Registration is accepted on a first-come basis and space is limited. There is a $75 fee for the forum.

 The second forum is planned for Thursday, Oct. 27^th on the campus of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.